Oregon State moves swiftly to hire Michigan assistant Justin Joyner, leveraging his West Coast roots and big-program experience to reset after Wayne Tinkle’s inconsistent 12-year run.
In a decisive move following the conclusion of its season, Oregon State University has selected Michigan assistant Justin Joyner as the next head coach of its men’s basketball program. This decision, reported by multiple outlets, effectively ends the era of Wayne Tinkle, whose departure was announced on February 26, effective after the 2025-26 season Field Level Media.
The Beavers’ season culminated in a 65-56 loss to Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference tournament semifinals, leaving them with a 17-16 overall record and 9-9 mark in league play. This lackluster finish accelerated the coaching change, with the university opting for a fresh start after Tinkle’s long tenure.
Justin Joyner, 38, arrives with a deep reservoir of West Coast experience, having spent seven seasons as an assistant at Saint Mary’s before joining Dusty May’s staff at Michigan. This background in two distinct conferences—the WCC and Big Ten—positions him to navigate Oregon State’s challenges in the WCC and beyond. Additionally, his wife, Tracy, serves as the women’s soccer coach at Oregon, further embedding him in the regional athletic landscape.
Wayne Tinkle compiled a 177-206 record over 12 seasons at Oregon State, a tenure marked by sporadic highs and prolonged lows. His legacy is defined by the magical 2020-21 campaign, where he led the Beavers to their first Pac-12 tournament championship and a surprise run to the Elite Eight—the program’s deepest postseason dive since 1982. However, that peak was not replicated; Oregon State made only one additional NCAA appearance during his reign, leaving fans with a sense of unfulfilled potential.
Tinkle’s prior success at Montana, his alma mater, included three Big Sky Conference titles and NCAA berths from 2006-14, demonstrating his ability to build programs from the ground up. Yet, at Oregon State, the consistent competitiveness expected from a Power-conference affiliate never materialized, culminating in this forced exit despite his contractual status being officially “parted ways” after this season.
The hire of Justin Joyner signals Oregon State’s intent to rebuild with an emphasis on West Coast recruiting and modern offensive schemes. Joyner’s time at Saint Mary’s, a WCC rival known for player development and NCAA tournament consistency, offers a blueprint for thriving in a conference dominated by Gonzaga. His recent Michigan experience adds exposure to big-ten athletic resources and national recruiting networks.
For the fanbase, this change brings a mix of nostalgia and hope. The memory of the 2021 Elite Eight run remains a high-water mark, but years of underachieving have eroded patience. Joyner’s local ties and relative youth (38) compared to Tinkle (60) suggest a longer-term project aimed at sustained relevance rather than one-off miracles.
Looking ahead, Oregon State faces a critical roster rebuild in the transfer portal era. Joyner’s immediate tasks include retaining key players from the 17-win squad and leveraging his connections to bring in impact transfers. The WCC’s competitive depth, with Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s setting the standard, requires sharp strategy—something Joyner’s mentorship under successful coaches may provide.
This coaching carousel move underscores a broader trend: mid-major programs seeking assistants with specific conference expertise to catalyze turnaround. For Oregon State, the bet is on Joyner’s blend of regional familiarity and high-level training to restore consistency after a decade of mixed results under Tinkle.
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