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How Two Former Alabama Staffers Helped Shape Oregon State's Budding Program

Oregon State football has undergone a quiet but transformative shift under head coach JaMarcus Shephard, whose Alabama ties are now paying dividends on the field. Before leading the Beavers, Shephard spent two seasons as Alabama’s wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator, where he helped shape the program’s culture—a foundation he’s replicated in Corvallis.

The results have been immediate: after a tough loss to Texas Tech, Shephard’s players rejected half-measures, with linebacker Dylan Layne publicly rejecting fan applause after defeats, declaring the team’s new standard is winning, not just competing. That mindset fueled a five-game winning streak, turning Oregon State into one of college football’s most explosive offenses, led by quarterback Braden Atkinson and true freshman wide receiver Jesse Legree, who now leads the FBS in receiving yards and touchdowns despite entering the season with little national recognition.

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