Behonick reportedly spent three seasons as head coach at Western Oregon, where he won two consecutive conference titles and received back-to-back Great Northwest Athletic Conference Coach of the Year awards. The update also credits him with leading the Wolves to the first two NCAA tournament appearances in program history.
That record gives Brookins a staff member accustomed to building a winning culture rather than simply maintaining one. Behonick’s experience as a head coach should also add another voice to match preparation, player development and in-game decision-making.
The reported hire is not based solely on results at the Division II level. Behonick previously worked at Pittsburgh as an assistant and recruiting coordinator, while also spending time with the Pittsburgh River Hounds.
The update credits his time at Pitt with involvement in the recruitment and development of eight MLS Draft selections, four All-Americans, four ACC Players of the Year and 37 all-conference players. Those figures point to a résumé built around identifying talent and helping players reach the next stage.
That background could become especially valuable as Oregon State prepares for a stronger conference schedule and seeks to establish a recruiting identity in the rebuilt Pac-12.
The report says Oregon State finished 2025 with a 10-5-2 record before losing to Washington on penalties in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. The next step is turning that competitive foundation into deeper postseason progress.
The appointment also brings a personal connection to campus, as Behonick is married to Oregon State volleyball head coach Lindsey Behonick. The immediate storyline will be how quickly his recruiting network and coaching experience translate when the Beavers return to conference play in the fall.