In a recent interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive, Oregon State football coach JaMarcus Shephard opened up about the wild ride the program’s been on lately. From sudden staff shakeups to eyeing partnerships with tech companies like Nvidia, Shephard gave a refreshingly honest look at where Oregon State football stands—and where it might be headed.
He didn’t sugarcoat the challenges. Two assistant coaches, both newly hired, bolted for presumably better-paying gigs. Defensive coordinator Lance Guidry left for Memphis almost before his nameplate was on the door, and Inoke Breckterfield headed to Utah.
Still, Shephard’s not panicking. He’s sticking to his guns about building a team grounded in integrity and resilience. He wants people—staff and players—who actually want to be there and buy into what they’re doing.
“I want guys here who want to be here,” he said, making it clear that being an “elite human being” comes first. He’s not rushing to fill the empty spots, either. There’s a sense he’d rather get it right than get it fast.
Even with the coaching carousel spinning, Shephard’s got his eye on the young defensive talent. He’s especially jazzed about the secondary and linebacker group.
He thinks they’re hungry to prove themselves. And honestly, who doesn’t love a bunch of underdogs with something to prove?
He’s already warned the offense: spring’s going to be rough, because the defense is ready to bring it. “The spotlight will find you,” he quipped—there’s a certain pressure there, but he wants his guys ready for it.
Preparation and resilience are the name of the game. Shephard’s determined to make sure the team is ready when it counts, even if the path’s a little bumpy.
For him, coaching isn’t a transaction—it’s about transformation. It’s clear he cares about more than just what happens on the field.
He’s all in on helping these young men navigate adversity, whether it’s game-day pressure or life stuff that hits a little harder.
Shephard doesn’t just see himself as a football coach. He’s a mentor, and he’s pretty open about that. “I am winning life,” he says, and you get the sense he means it—he wants his players to do the same.
He’s convinced that what they learn handling football setbacks actually prepares them for what’s waiting outside the stadium. That’s a lesson that sticks.
Maybe the most interesting bit? Shephard’s all about innovation. He’s actively looking at partnerships—Nvidia is on his radar—to see how tech and AI could give Oregon State an edge.
He’s not shy about it. If there’s a new tool or technology that could help the team, he wants in.
He’s eager to see what AI could do for them. “I’m ready to open up the floodgates,” he said, and you can tell he’s not just tossing out buzzwords—he actually wants to push boundaries here.
Of course, he knows some fans are frustrated. The last couple years haven’t been easy, and skepticism is everywhere.
But he asks them to focus on what can be fixed, not just what’s gone wrong. Getting people back in the stands and showing off the team’s talent? That’s a big part of his plan.
“Let’s go win some games,” he tells the fans. He’s convinced that a fired-up, supportive community is key—not just for the scoreboard, but for attracting talent and investment.
He’s hoping that energy will help take Oregon State football somewhere new.
There’s something about the innovative spirit at Oregon State that Shephard finds infectious. He wants that same energy to seep into the football program, helping it move forward in ways that maybe nobody’s tried yet.
Learning from Other Programs
Shephard draws parallels with other successful programs. He notes that individual contributions and smart investments have really changed their paths.
He’s confident that, with the right support and resources, Oregon State football could pull off something similar. There’s no reason they can’t.
If you’re curious for more details or want to dig into Shephard’s thoughts, check out the full interview on The Oregonian/OregonLive.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
