NCAA Basketball: 5 head coaches that could be the next Scott Frost in 2022-23

Wayne Tinkle

Simply put, Oregon State isn’t exactly known for its basketball. The program recently went nearly three decades without even appearing in the NCAA Tournament, though that streak did come to an end under Tinkle’s leadership. There comes a point where a coaching chance is necessary for a program, though the case of these Beavers is certainly a unique one.

Tinkle arrived in 2014, having spent the previous eight years leading Montana to success in the Big Sky. It didn’t take long for Tinkle to settle in at Corvallis, leading the Beavers to that NCAA Tournament in his second season, with Gary Payton II playing a starring role. Tinkle then surprised everyone when his Oregon State club marched all the way to the Elite Eight in 2021 as a 12-seed. Unfortunately, last season the Beavers went just 3-28 and were among the very worst teams in the entire nation, and not just at the power conference level.

Tinkle is eighteen months removed from an Elite Eight run at a school that isn’t exactly known for its basketball prowess. However, following that success with such a horrific season is certainly reason for hesitance. The Beavers have finished above .500 in Pac-12 conference play in just one of Tinkle’s eight seasons. There’s a lot to love and appreciate about what Tinkle has brought to the program, but if they begin another year the same way last season went, don’t be surprised to see change in Corvallis.