Oregon State AD Scott Barnes backs coach Wayne Tinkle, believes men’s basketball will ‘take a significant step in 2024-25’

Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle calls to players during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against California in Corvallis, Ore., Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle has led the Beavers to two NCAA tournament appearances and six seasons with records of .500 or better during his 10-year run in Corvallis.AP

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Oregon State men’s basketball coach Wayne Tinkle will return for the 2024-25 season, The Oregonian/OregonLive has confirmed.

The Beavers open play in the Pac-12 tournament in Las Vegas against UCLA at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, potentially OSU’s final game of the season. But Tinkle, who has three years and $8.7 million remaining on his contract after this season, has the backing of athletic director Scott Barnes and will return for his 11th season in Corvallis.

Since reaching the Elite Eight in 2021, OSU has struggled, posting season records of 3-28, 11-21 and 13-18. Following the disastrous 2021-22 season, Tinkle turned the Beavers’ roster upside down and went for a rebuild by signing a handful of high school seniors.

Three of last season’s newcomers – Jordan Pope, Tyler Bilodeau, Michael Rataj – are currently the program’s centerpiece.

During his 10-year OSU tenure, Tinkle has taken the Beavers to two NCAA tournaments, the first for the program since 1990. The Beavers have posted records of .500 of better in six of 10 seasons under Tinkle, whose overall record is 140-176. Tinkle’s record is skewed by two seasons when OSU went 5-27 and 3-28.

Barnes said he and Tinkle have “ongoing weekly discussions about the state of the program.” While not satisfied, Barnes said he sees the progress and believes he’s backing a good horse for next season.

“Neither Wayne, myself, our student athletes nor Beaver Nation are happy with our record today,” Barnes wrote in a text. “Still, we have an excellent, connected core group. Their retention and the addition of key players in the offseason is Wayne’s number one priority.

“I believe we will take a significant step in 2024-25 and build from there.”

--Nick Daschel covers Oregon State athletics, in particular football and basketball, and can be reached at 360-607-4824, ndaschel@oregonian.com or @nickdaschel.

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