The Gary Andersen era ended at Oregon State without warning Monday after two seasons and six games.

I didn't deal with Andersen much directly. When I did, he always impressed me with his willingness to meet questions head on. I found him a very direct, stand-up guy.

Maybe he could have turned this thing around eventually. But the season went so bad so quickly he lost many of the fans. Recruiting, never easy at OSU, would have been prohibitively difficult going forward.

Here is a story by The O's Danny Moran, detailing how it went down.

The O's Jon Canzano writes Andersen always said he would leave if he didn't think he could get the job done. And, to everybody's surprise, that was what he did.

People close to the program describe staff dissension among several problems, but say they were stunned by Andersen's decision.

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At this juncture, it appears Andersen has left the program less competitive than he found it.

At least by making a clean break now and walking away from a buyout of more than $12 million, Andersen has given the Beavers a head start on finding a new coach and the financial means to to do it successfully.

I hope they are thorough this time, and look at a variety of options.

I think they would be crazy not to talk to Cal offensive coordinator Beau Baldwin, who was wildly successful as Eastern Washington head coach, or Roseburg native Troy Calhoun, who has done a nice job under difficult circumstances at the Air Force Academy. Calhoun runs a wishbone derivative at Air Force, but that isn't all he knows. He has coached in the NFL.

I would look at Wyoming coach Craig Bohl, who is 59, but was a successful Nebraska assistant and a legend as head coach at North Dakota State, and at USC offensive coordinator Tee Martin. UW offensive coordinator Jonathan Smith, who starred for the Beavers' Fiesta Bowl champions, would be popular among fans.

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It wouldn't hurt for the Beavers to find somebody who can operate a quirky, entertaining offense that would allow them to be successful without five-star talent.

It's worked for Washington State, which has many of the same geographic disadvantages OSU does.

Bruce Feldman of SI.com floats some names for OSU's consideration, among them Baldwin, Calhoun, Washington State defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, Washington co-defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake and Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo.

OK, more links:

The R-G's Austin Meek: Andersen's sudden departure leaves lots of questions.

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The Statesman-Journal's Gary Horowitz: Andersen wasn't working out, and it was time for the Beavers to cut their losses.

The Merc's Jon Wilner: Andersen proves unable to recruit and develop as well as previous coach Mike Riley.

Scott Wolf of the Los Angeles Daily News: Perhaps the Beavers should look for a young coach on the rise.

Even Andersen's confidants say they didn't see this coming.

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OSU elevates cornerbacks coach Cory Hall to interim head coach.

Hall's life has led to this opportunity.

Hall is introduced as the interim.

The OSU recruiting class is left in limbo.

A timeline look at Andersen's tenure.

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Andersen walks away from his job and the money.

OSU players lament Andersen's departure.

Film review is painful for Colorado coaches and players.

UO coach Willie Taggart is frustrated by the Ducks' inability to run against Wazzu.

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Taggart expects quarterback Braxton Burmeister be better and Taylor Alie to be healthier this week for Stanford.

Which one will start? "We'll see."

Taggart says Stanford's Bryce Love is the best back the Ducks have seen this season.

The Ducks need to shake off the doldrums in a hurry.

Stanford is on the rise in The O's Pac-12 Power Rankings.

Wilner gives Stanford a B+ for the victory at Utah and says the Cardinal is well positioned entering the second half of the season.

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USC quarterback Sam Darnold's biggest critic is ... himself.

Brad Rock of the Deseret News: Quarterback change needed at Utah.

The quarterback job is open at Utah.

Whoever starts at QB for Utah needs to get receiver Darren Carrington involved early.

Carrington says Utah's offense needs to take a cue from the defense.

Transfer Marquise Blair settles in as one of Utah's starting safeties.

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Edward Aschoff of ESPN.com: Surprise, Leach has Wazzu in the playoff hunt.

Leach makes his case for a 16-team, FBS Playoff. This is something I'm totally onboard with.

The Cougars will try to remain unbeaten when they play Friday night in Berkeley.

The Merc's Jon Wilner gives Cal a D- for the loss at Washington, and says we'll learn a lot about coach Justin Wilcox's program now.

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Larry Stone of The Seattle Times: The last thing UW coach Chris Petersen and the Huskies need is a feud with ESPN.

Art Thiel of SportsPressNW.com: Petersen shows no scars from challenging the mafia that controls college football.

Petersen on the state of his relations with ESPN: "It is what it is."

The UW pass rush is getting to quarterbacks without having to blitz.

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This Arizona State team is 2-3, and might be better than the 2016 team that was 5-1 at this point.

The Daily Star's Greg Hansen: What Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate did against Colorado is the best one-game showing in school history.

Tate suddenly is a big problem for UCLA's defense.

Tate appears unfazed by his record-breaking performance at Colorado.

Tate is listed as Arizona's co-starter for the UCLA game.

The Bruins will be well rested heading into the Arizona game.

The links from Beaver Sports Now.

The links from Duck Sports Now.

-- Ken Goe

kgoe@oregonian.com | @KenGoe