After two years at Alabama, JaMarcus Shephard is heading back west to become the new head football coach at Oregon State.
Shephard served as the wide receivers coach and assistant head coach at Washington under former Huskies coach Kalen DeBoer before moving with DeBoer to Alabama as the assistant head coach and wide receivers coach for the Tide. This season, Co-Offensive Coordinator was added to his title and he helped Alabama (10-2) average 33.8 ppg and 415.7 ypg.
“I’m honored to lead the Oregon State University football program and to join a community that cares so deeply about its student-athletes,” said Coach Shephard in a statement. “We will build a culture rooted in toughness, integrity, and relentless effort, and I’m excited to get to work with our players, staff, and supporters to write the next great chapter of Beaver football.”
Known for being a great developer of talent, which includes working with former Washington star and current Chicago Bears receiver Rome Odunze, Shephard is returning to an area of the country he’s familiar with as he also worked as the receivers coach at Washington State in 2016.
“His character and persona are top-notch and genuine, which will make all of Beaver Nation proud,” said Oregon State athletic director Scott Barnes. “His values align perfectly as an exceptional leader who fosters a sincere connection with his student athletes. He has coached at the highest level, with stops in the Pacific Northwest, and I cannot wait to see him on the recruiting trail and leading our football program to immediate success.”
Shephard heads to Oregon St with a wealth of experience both as a coach and player.
A four-year letter winner at DePauw, he was a two-time All-American and still holds the school record for career kickoff return yards (1,430). He also ranks sixth in receptions (168) and seventh in receiving yards (2,382). In his senior year, he was a team captain and caught 47 passes for 815 yards and 7 TDs. Most impressively, he was one of only two Division III players to compete in the 2005 Hula Bowl.
He graduated in 2005 with a BA in sports medicine and earned his Master’s in recreation and sport administration from Western Kentucky University in 2013.
Shephard began his coaching career in 2005 at his high school alma mater, Fort Wayne Northrop and moved to the college ranks in 2011 as the defensive analyst/volunteer assistant at Western Kentucky. In 2014, he became the school’s wide receiver coach and stayed on that side of the ball during stops at Washington St., Purdue, Washington and Alabama.
Now Shephard, the first full-time Black head coach in program history, will take over a 2-9 Beavers team that fired head coach Trent Bray after starting the season 0-7.
