Mitch Dahlen Named Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach
December 11, 2025 | Football
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Mitch Dahlen will join the Oregon State football program as the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach, Head Coach JaMarcus Shephard announced Thursday.
"I'm really excited to bring Mitch Dahlen in as our offensive coordinator," Shephard said. "He's a bright, passionate coach who will help us take this offense to the next level. His ability to connect with players, teach the game and build a creative flexible system is exactly what we need as we set the foundation for this new era of Oregon State football. I can't wait to see the impact he will make on our program."
Dahlen has served as the Assistant Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Quarterbacks Coach for the past two seasons at the University of Alabama. He was previously at the University of Washington as Assistant OC/QB's (2022-23) and Fresno State University (2020-21) in the same capacity.
During that stretch Dahlen helped engineer one of the most explosive passing offenses in the country, leading to multiple college football playoff selections, a National Title appearance, a Heisman Trophy candidate, and multiple NFL Draft selections at quarterback (Jake Haener, Mike Penix, Jalen Milroe and potential first round pick Ty Simpson).
"I couldn't be more excited to be coming back to a place I consider home," Dahlen said. "I have spent many Saturdays in the stands at old Parker Stadium and to see how far this place has come is amazing. The history of this football program has been in my blood since I was a kid, and I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity to lead this offense. Coach Shephard is a true leader of men and I am excited to get to work for one of the best coaches in the country. I am looking forward to hearing the chainsaw in front of a sold out Reser in the fall."
The appointment is contingent on the completion of all university hiring processes.
Dahlen has been with Coach Kalen DeBoer since 2020 during the shortened Covid season at Fresno State. Coach DeBoer called Dahlen "A critical piece to everything we do" during a recent interview.
Prior to Fresno State, Dahlen was the Offensive Coordinator at Black Hills State. Dahlen worked at Boise State in 2018 as the assistant wide receivers and quarterbacks coach and helped lead the team to a 10-3 record behind one of the top passing offenses in the nation with Brett Rypien at Quarterback.
He was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the College of Idaho from 2016-18. Dahlen helped lead the team to multiple school records on offense, including total yards, pass yards, and rush yards. He coached two record-breaking quarterbacks, including multiple All-Conference selections and one All-American.
He began his collegiate playing career at the University of Utah before moving to Southern Utah where he played quarterback for the Thunderbirds.
Dahlen graduated magna cum laude from Southern Utah University with a degree in business management.
His father, Chris, played football at Oregon State from 1982-86, and his mother, Monica, also attended Oregon State. His brother, Matt, played basketball for the Beavers from 2015-17.
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
"I'm really excited to bring Mitch Dahlen in as our offensive coordinator," Shephard said. "He's a bright, passionate coach who will help us take this offense to the next level. His ability to connect with players, teach the game and build a creative flexible system is exactly what we need as we set the foundation for this new era of Oregon State football. I can't wait to see the impact he will make on our program."
Dahlen has served as the Assistant Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Quarterbacks Coach for the past two seasons at the University of Alabama. He was previously at the University of Washington as Assistant OC/QB's (2022-23) and Fresno State University (2020-21) in the same capacity.
During that stretch Dahlen helped engineer one of the most explosive passing offenses in the country, leading to multiple college football playoff selections, a National Title appearance, a Heisman Trophy candidate, and multiple NFL Draft selections at quarterback (Jake Haener, Mike Penix, Jalen Milroe and potential first round pick Ty Simpson).
"I couldn't be more excited to be coming back to a place I consider home," Dahlen said. "I have spent many Saturdays in the stands at old Parker Stadium and to see how far this place has come is amazing. The history of this football program has been in my blood since I was a kid, and I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity to lead this offense. Coach Shephard is a true leader of men and I am excited to get to work for one of the best coaches in the country. I am looking forward to hearing the chainsaw in front of a sold out Reser in the fall."
The appointment is contingent on the completion of all university hiring processes.
Dahlen has been with Coach Kalen DeBoer since 2020 during the shortened Covid season at Fresno State. Coach DeBoer called Dahlen "A critical piece to everything we do" during a recent interview.
Prior to Fresno State, Dahlen was the Offensive Coordinator at Black Hills State. Dahlen worked at Boise State in 2018 as the assistant wide receivers and quarterbacks coach and helped lead the team to a 10-3 record behind one of the top passing offenses in the nation with Brett Rypien at Quarterback.
He was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the College of Idaho from 2016-18. Dahlen helped lead the team to multiple school records on offense, including total yards, pass yards, and rush yards. He coached two record-breaking quarterbacks, including multiple All-Conference selections and one All-American.
He began his collegiate playing career at the University of Utah before moving to Southern Utah where he played quarterback for the Thunderbirds.
Dahlen graduated magna cum laude from Southern Utah University with a degree in business management.
His father, Chris, played football at Oregon State from 1982-86, and his mother, Monica, also attended Oregon State. His brother, Matt, played basketball for the Beavers from 2015-17.
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
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