What Happened to Wayne Tinkle?
Wayne Tinkle is an American college basketball coach who most recently served as the head coach for the Oregon State Beavers men's basketball team from 2014 until the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. Known for leading Oregon State to a surprising Elite Eight run in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, his tenure concluded with the university's decision to part ways in February 2026, though he opted to coach the team through the end of the current season.
Quick Answer
Wayne Tinkle is currently coaching his final games as the head coach of the Oregon State Beavers men's basketball team. On February 26, 2026, Oregon State announced that Tinkle would not be retained after the 2025-26 season, but he chose to finish out the year. As of March 9, 2026, he led the Beavers to a victory in the WCC tournament quarterfinals, advancing them to the semifinals. His departure marks the end of a 12-season tenure with the Beavers, highlighted by a Pac-12 Tournament title and an Elite Eight appearance in 2021.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Collegiate Playing Career at Montana
Wayne Tinkle played as a forward for the University of Montana, earning three All-Big Sky Conference honors and ranking among the school's all-time leaders in points and rebounds.
Professional Playing Career
Tinkle played professionally for 12 seasons in various leagues, including stints in Sweden, Spain, Italy, Greece, and the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), where he was a CBA All-Star.
Returns to Montana as Assistant Coach
After retiring from playing, Tinkle joined his alma mater, the University of Montana, as an assistant coach, serving under three different head coaches.
Named Head Coach at Montana
Tinkle was promoted to head coach of the University of Montana men's basketball team, succeeding Larry Krystkowiak. He would lead the Grizzlies for eight seasons.
First NCAA Tournament Appearance as Head Coach
Tinkle guided Montana to the NCAA Tournament for the first time as head coach, following a 22-10 season and a Big Sky Tournament championship.
First Big Sky Coach of the Year Award
Tinkle earned his first Big Sky Coach of the Year award after leading Montana to a 25-7 season and another NCAA Tournament berth.
Hired as Head Coach at Oregon State
After eight successful seasons at Montana, Tinkle was named the 21st head coach of the Oregon State Beavers men's basketball program.
Leads Oregon State to NCAA Tournament
In his second season, Tinkle guided the Beavers to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 26 years, earning a two-year contract extension.
Wins Pac-12 Tournament, Reaches Elite Eight
Oregon State, picked last in the Pac-12 preseason poll, won the Pac-12 Tournament and made an improbable run to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament as a No. 12 seed.
Receives Four-Year Contract Extension
Following the Elite Eight run, Tinkle signed a four-year contract extension with Oregon State, securing his position through the 2026-27 season.
Oregon State Announces Departure After Season
Oregon State announced that Wayne Tinkle would not return as head coach after the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, citing a strategic transition for the program. Tinkle was given the option to coach the remainder of the season.
Decides to Finish 2025-26 Season
After deliberation, Tinkle confirmed his decision to coach the Oregon State team through the end of the 2025-26 season, including the WCC tournament, stating he wouldn't leave bitter.
Leads Beavers to WCC Tournament Semifinals
Tinkle coached Oregon State to a 78-77 victory over San Francisco in the WCC tournament quarterfinals, advancing the Beavers to the semifinals.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Wayne Tinkle, born January 26, 1966, has had a long and impactful career in college basketball, first as a player, then as an assistant coach, and ultimately as a head coach. After a professional playing career, Tinkle returned to his alma mater, the University of Montana, as an assistant coach in 2001. He was promoted to head coach in June 2006, where he led the Grizzlies for eight successful seasons, compiling a 158-91 record and guiding them to three NCAA Tournament appearances and two Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year awards.
In May 2014, Tinkle took over as the head coach for the Oregon State Beavers, a program that had struggled for decades, with only two winning seasons in the 24 years prior to his arrival. His tenure at Oregon State saw moments of significant achievement, most notably in the 2020-21 season. Despite being picked to finish last in the Pac-12, Tinkle led the Beavers to their first-ever Pac-12 Tournament title and a remarkable run to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament as a No. 12 seed, defeating higher-seeded teams like Tennessee, Oklahoma State, and Loyola Chicago before falling to Houston. This success earned him a four-year contract extension through the 2026-27 season in April 2021.
However, the seasons following the Elite Eight run were marked by inconsistency and struggles. The Beavers finished last in the Pac-12 twice between 2021 and 2024, accumulating an 11-49 league record in that span. The evolving landscape of college athletics, particularly with the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules, presented new challenges, and Tinkle's program reportedly struggled with roster retention, seeing multiple players transfer out in subsequent seasons.
On February 26, 2026, Oregon State announced that Tinkle would not be retained as head coach after the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. Athletic Director Scott Barnes framed the decision as a strategic transition ahead of the Pac-12's relaunch for the 2026-27 season, which will see Oregon State join a reconstructed nine-member league. Tinkle, given the option to finish the season, chose to remain with the team, expressing his desire not to leave bitter and to help his players make a run in the West Coast Conference (WCC) tournament. As of March 9, 2026, Tinkle is still coaching the Beavers, having led them to the WCC tournament semifinals with a win over San Francisco. His overall record at Oregon State stands at 176-205 (.462) through February 26, 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Wayne Tinkle made different choices?