CORVALLIS, Ore. (KPTV) - A current NFL player will be joining a committee assisting with the search for Oregon State University’s new football coach.
OSU began a nationwide search for a new head football coach following the [firing of Trent Bray](https://www.kptv.com/2025/10/12/reports-oregon-state-fires-coach-trent-bray-after-0-7-start/) after the Beavers fell to 0-7.
Robb Akey, a 59-year-old former head coach at Idaho and defensive coordinator at Washington State, was then [named as the interim coach](https://www.kptv.com/2025/10/14/we-need-get-little-swagger-back-osu-introduces-interim-coach-nationwide-search-begins/).
On Monday, the OSU Athletic Department released the names of six committee members who will be led by Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Barnes in the search for a new coach:
* **Brandin Cooks,** current New Orleans Saints wide receiver and former OSU football player
* **Nikki Neuburger,** Executive Vice President and Chief Brand & Product Activation Officer at Lululemon
* **Marty Reser,** former Vice President of Retail Sales for Reser’s Fine Foods
* **Joth Ricci,** executive in residence for the Oregon State College of Business and former Dutch Bros executive
* **Mike Riley,** second-year member of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee and former OSU head football coach
* **John Stirek,** current co-chair of OSU Foundation Campaign and former chair of the OSU Foundation Board
“I’m grateful to the members of the search committee for accepting my invitation to serve and for their willingness to share their expertise,” said Barnes. “Our focus is to identify a head coach whose perspective and vision will help shape the next chapter of our Oregon State football program. That established leader will have our full support and the resources necessary to compete and succeed at the highest level on behalf of Beaver Nation.”
DHR Global will be the search firm assisting with securing a new head coach, according to OSU Athletics.
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