CORVALLIS -- Oregon State Beavers athletic director Scott Barnes called coach Gary Andersen's departure a "reset" for the football program.
During a news conference on Monday afternoon, Barnes also said that the mutual decision for the Beavers to part ways with Andersen came on Sunday, one day after the Beavers fell to 1-5 on the 2017 season with a 38-10 loss at USC.
The timing is difficult, Barnes acknowledged, but "best for all involved." Oregon State's coaches were informed of the decision at 11:15 a.m. Monday, Barnes said, with players notified about 11:30 a.m. Cornerbacks coach Cory Hall has been named interim head coach.
Andersen went 7-23 in two-plus seasons in Corvallis, but Barnes said the decision did not come down to just wins and losses.
"Certainly we took a step back," Barnes said. "It's obvious to see what we had."
As part of their agreement, Andersen and OSU have agreed to release each other from "all future contract obligations and payments," the school said. Andersen had about $12 million remaining on a contract that ran through 2021.
OSU will not be confined to geography or a sitting head coach in the scope of its search for a new head coach, Barnes said.
Here's a recap of key points from Monday's press conference.
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