Oregon State Responds To Tim Shelton’s Resignation, NIL Criticisms.
By 750 THE GAME STAFF
A report from The Oregonian’s Nick Daschel broke the news Wednesday that Oregon State Beavers assistant men’s basketball coach Tim Shelton has resigned, citing concerns around OSU’s lack of NIL connections with prospective and current student-athletes as a main reason for his departure.
The 33-year-old Shelton, who only arrived in Corvallis in May 2022, is headed to Colorado State to join the staff of Niko Medved.
Oregon State MBB assistant Tim Shelton resigns. He enjoyed being part of the staff and helping rebuild the program, but Shelton’s reason for leaving was a headwind he couldn’t ignore.https://t.co/7dKJhoHkWL
— Nick Daschel (@nickdaschel) June 14, 2023
Daschel secured some eyebrow-raising quotes from Shelton, who remained measured and complimentary both of his time at OSU as well as his belief in athletics leadership at the university.
But when it comes to name, image, and likeless, Shelton told Daschel he worries about Oregon State’s commitment to the space. From Daschel’s report:
You’re like, man, are we going to get lapped before we get in the race? I don’t think Oregon State’s never going to do it. Maybe it’s not even as bad as I’m saying,” Shelton said.
Shelton says it’s a matter of resources at Oregon State that does not quite keep up with other programs.
Shelton said “it’s hard to swallow” that he’s leaving, but he couldn’t ignore NIL opportunities at Oregon State versus what he’s seeing at competing schools.
“You’re trying to make yourself more aware of how to be a successful recruiter and how to retain your talent. My biggest fear is that the guys here don’t feel like we have enough resources to keep them,” Shelton said.
Scott Barnes, VP and Director of Athletics, issued a statement responding to Shelton’s departure and comments.
“We are aware of outgoing assistant men’s basketball coach Tim Shelton’s pending move to Colorado State and wish him well. That being said, we disagree with his sentiments regarding NIL as it pertains to Oregon State and the ongoing efforts being made in this space. We continue to retain the vast majority of our student-athletes and provide multiple opportunities for education, understanding and connectivity to NIL opportunities. We also have ongoing dialogue with State Legislators and the NCAA regarding NIL and how it is executed, and we will do it the right way, the Beaver Way, to benefit out student-athletes now and in the long term in every possible way.”
Head men’s basketball coach Wayne Tinkle also issued a statement in response to Shelton.
“We know our administration and collectives are working hard, and they have done a lot to bring our NIL initiatives a long ways to take care of our current student-athletes and help us on the recruiting trail. It’s a testament to the support our program is getting that we were able to keep the core of our young group together, and a big part of that is because of the confidence they have in what Oregon State is doing with NIL currently and into the future.”
Shelton is the son of legendary former Beavs hoops star, Lonnie Shelton, who played at OSU from 1973-76 and played 10 seasons in the NBA.
Read Daschel’s full report, here.
