Hours after head coach Trent Bray was abruptly fired, Oregon State’s athletic department is still undergoing major shifts. Another change has occurred in the Beavers’ front office, this time off the field, after the football program’s terrible 0–7 start resulted in Bray’s firing. The timing couldn’t be any better for an institution that is obviously going through a deep internal reset, both behind the scenes and on the sidelines.

In a recent X post, Ryan Harlan, an Oregon State alum, shared the news, “BREAKING: Oregon State Associate Athletic Director, Compliance and Sports Services Diana Ulrey has resigned from her position, per sources telling myself. Ulrey has moved into an undisclosed role within Oregon State University. More shakeups with the Oregon State AD.”

Harlan’s post quickly caught the attention of Beaver fans, many of whom want OSU athletic director Scott Barnes to get fired.

Ulrey, who joined the Beavers in 2013 as Assistant Director of Compliance, has apparently taken on a new job within the institution. Her exit signifies yet another big shift in OSU’s sports leadership team. Ulrey was a former Clemson rower and academic star who played a significant role in upholding NCAA compliance and assisting with student-athlete services throughout her 12-year tenure at Oregon State.

Ulrey’s resignation could not have occurred at a more devastating moment for Oregon State. A number of internal positions are changing in a matter of days, pointing to the athletic department’s complete reorganization, which may extend beyond coaching. Ulrey’s resignation has not been officially announced by the institution, but both staff and alumni are surprised by the timing. At a time when the NCAA’s shifting NIL situation and financial instability already provide major obstacles, her and Trent Bray’s departure creates a visible void in the department, where they held one of the most important positions.

After Trent Bray is out, OSU faces an uncertain future

Trent Bray’s fall from the Oregon State on Sunday seemed both unexpected and tragic. Despite his emotional attachment to Corvallis, the challenge may have been too much for a new coach to handle. The former Beaver linebacker turned head coach took over a school that was already in danger following the collapse of the Pac-12. This season, the Beavers didn’t simply lose games; they appeared to be in a state of pure chaos. The 14-39 blowout against Wake Forest, combined with that 0–7 record, was the last nail in a coffin that had been slowly closing for months.

You can’t help but feel sorry for Bray, though. He had literally entered the ashes of a program and left with a 5-14 overall record. When Jonathan Smith left Oregon State for Michigan State, the program lost not just its coach, but also its stability and recruiting momentum. Bray attempted to piece things together by frequently defending his players and staff, but the outcomes stayed the same week after week. Following Saturday’s defeat, he declared, “I’m frustrated. I’m disappointed..I look at myself, and I’ve got to fix it…It’s unacceptable to me where we’re at. That’s just how I look at it. What can I do? I’ve got to look at it. What can I do different to get these guys going?” There was a tone of resignation in those comments, as though even Bray was aware that this chapter was coming to an end soon.

Oregon State is now in a difficult situation. The Beavers must decide what type of identity they want to carry going ahead because the team is winless, fan backlash is running high, and the athletic department is seeing rapid transition. The next permanent hiring will determine how Oregon State repositions itself in the new college football environment, but the interim period under Robb Akey may just be damage control for the time being. Over the last two years, a program that was once proud of its resilience and commitment has been humbled by the realization that feelings don’t help in winning games.