Redmond High alum Mitch Dahlen to run Oregon State offense

CORVALLIS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Central Oregon native is coming home to help lead the Beavers’ offense.

Redmond native Mitch Dahlen has been named Oregon State’s Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach, Head Coach JaMarcus Shephard announced Thursday. Dahlen grew up in Redmond, played quarterback for the Redmond High Panthers, and spent many Saturdays in the stands at old Parker Stadium, where his dad Chris played Beaver football from 1982–86, and his brother Matt later played basketball.​

Big-time experience on the national stage

Dahlen joins OSU after two seasons at Alabama as Assistant Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Quarterbacks Coach, following similar roles at Washington (2022–23) and Fresno State (2020–21). Over that stretch, he helped build one of the nation’s most explosive passing attacks, contributing to multiple College Football Playoff runs, a national title appearance, a Heisman Trophy candidate, and several NFL-caliber quarterbacks, including Jake Haener, Michael Penix Jr., Jalen Milroe, and projected first‑rounder Ty Simpson.​

Returning “home” to Corvallis

Shephard called Dahlen a bright, passionate coach who connects with players and can design a creative, flexible offense for this new era of Oregon State football.

Dahlen said he “couldn’t be more excited” to come back to a place he considers home, praising the program’s growth and saying he looks forward to hearing the chainsaw in a sold‑out Reser Stadium this fall.​

Coaching journey and education

Before his recent stops, Dahlen worked with Kalen DeBoer at Fresno State during the 2020 Covid-shortened season, after serving as Offensive Coordinator at Black Hills State and at the College of Idaho, where his offenses set school records in total, passing, and rushing yards.

He also coached at Boise State in 2018 with the wide receivers and quarterbacks, helping guide a 10–3 season behind quarterback Brett Rypien, and he played quarterback at Utah before transferring to Southern Utah, where he graduated magna cum laude in business management.​

Beaver family connection and next steps

Football runs deep in the Dahlen family: along with his father Chris and brother Matt’s OSU careers, his mother Monica is also an Oregon State alum. His appointment at OSU is contingent on completion of university hiring processes, but for the Redmond native who still calls Central Oregon “home,” it marks a full‑circle moment in a fast‑rising coaching career.