Oregon State has kicked off a national hunt for its next athletic director after Scott Barnes told university leaders he will step down in August. The early batch of names features sitting athletic directors, deputy ADs and local donors, a combination that suggests the Beavers are trying to balance insider continuity with outside experience as the program adjusts to a reshaped conference landscape.
According to The Oregonian/OregonLive, Oregon State is looking at about 15 potential candidates, and Barnes is expected to retire in August. The profile, compiled by James Crepea, lays out national administrators, regional executives and former program staffers who are being vetted for the role.
Who’s on the early list
On the early board are current athletic directors Tom Burman and Scott Sidwell, along with administrators such as Mark Orr, Rob Acunto and Jason Cappadoro. Oregon State insiders Zak Lassiter and Kimya Massey are also in the mix, underscoring the appeal of candidates who already know the terrain in Corvallis.
The group is rounded out by regional power players and donors, most notably alumnus Joth Ricci, whose profile extends well beyond the boardroom. According to Oregon State Athletics, Ricci is an OSU graduate and has been a major donor to Beaver basketball, giving him a financial and emotional stake in how the department is run.
Why the next AD matters
The hire will shape how Oregon State tackles short-term revenue pressures, particularly name, image and likeness funding, as well as longer-term media and conference planning, as reported by The Oregonian/OregonLive. That blend of fundraising, compliance and coach-hiring responsibilities helps explain why the Beavers are weighing both seasoned national athletic directors and local executives with tight institutional ties.
Timeline and what comes next
Availability will be a major factor. The report notes that Tom Burman is under contract for another year, while others on the list could be free to move sooner. Oregon State’s leadership will have to sort out whether it values immediate continuity more than a slower, longer-term reset for football and men’s basketball as the program moves through the latest round of conference realignment…