Gary Andersen walked away on Monday, threw in the keys, and tore up a contract with Oregon State that would have paid him $12.6 million in guaranteed compensation over the next four seasons.

Why quit? And why now?

That's become the question to ask, even after the Beavers' disappointing 1-5 start. And so maybe we should begin with some of his own words, sent to me via text over the last six weeks. (Note: Andersen was aware the texts were going to be published and we communicated on that front today.)

The Beavers started the season with a 58-27 loss at Colorado State. Andersen appeared agitated after the game, frustrated with the lopsided final score. His communication was laced with it.

Andersen (Sept. 1): "Love my kids just want to see them take a step!! Don't expect greatness but I do want to see progress!.. I will fight! It's an interesting battle. However I asked for it and love my kids! We still need to step up around here and stop being small time!! ... We played hard as hell ... blown coverages and poor run fits... our youth hurt us bad... it's on us. This team should get to a bowl game. If not I will be highly disappointed!! Getting old... patience isn't what it used to be!!"

His expectations for the season were clear. Andersen wanted to reach a bowl game. After finishing the 2016 season with wins over Arizona and Oregon, he wanted traction. But in order to do that he'd need a victory over Portland State on Sept. 2 at home. It came. Barely. As Oregon State beat PSU 35-32 in a game the Vikings probably should have won.

Andersen (Sept. 3): "If the defense can not get better ... I will be making some decisions I really do not like or want to make. We will grind!!"

It was the first time that Andersen openly criticized his assistants. This would become a recurring theme in the post-game news conferences over the next few weeks. A home game was ahead against PJ Fleck and Minnesota on Sept. 9. In front of that game, Andersen talked about how coaching had changed.

Andersen (Sept. 4): "Self promoting... that's what this business has become!!... That's the biggest reason I am not long for this (expletive)!! Kids are a second thought or third or fourth!!"

After losing 48-14 to Minnesota and falling to 1-2 Andersen was particularly frustrated. Probably because his aspirations of being a bowl-eligible team were in serious jeopardy. Those in the post-game news conference remarked how beat down Andersen appeared and sounded after the game. He'd not just lost the game, but his team got steam rolled in the fourth quarter.

Andersen (Sept. 9): "Hard place right now... one thing I guarantee you is this: This staff needs to figure it out. I ain't going to die doing this (expletive)! It's on me and I get that and right now... Beaver Nation deserves much better! End of story!!"

It was the first time that Andersen hinted at what would come a month later. He spent his summer watching one of his twin sons get married. His dog died. He was now mired in a season that looked challenging at best and atrocious at worst. The schedule wasn't forgiving, either. The Beavers played at Washington State on Sept. 16, followed by a home game against Washington and then at USC. It was a three-game series with the best three teams in the conference. Still, his job was secure.

Andersen (Sept 12): "I have them by the (expletive) for every penny, no buyout for the next four not counting this year... but that's not my style!! If it does not improve I will do some crazy (expletive) with my salary so I can pay the right coaches the right money!!"

His mind was still focused on winning. But this was the first hint Andersen gave about what he might do. He was prepared to pay assistants out of his own pocket. Also, he was indicating that he wouldn't keep Oregon State on the hook for his salary if things didn't improve. Washington State was about to put a 52-23 beat down on the Beavers. Then, bye week. Then, the Huskies and Trojans.

Andersen (Sept. 20): "I hired the wrong (expletive) guys and are still working our way through a bunch of recruiting years that stunk!! It's year three! If these (expletives) can't get it right I will not just say fire them and start over!! That's not the way to go about it. If I (expletive) it up that bad I will take the bullet and ride off into the sunset! I will stay old school!! I will not die doing this (expletive)!! Stay tuned!"

He was facing an uphill climb and seemed to know it. Not sure if he expected to beat WSU or just didn't like the idea of having to sit idle for a week before playing Washington and USC. Andersen was wrapping his head around the idea that he wouldn't take the easy way out. He wasn't prepared to go 1-11 and fire his assistants and start over.

Andersen (Sept. 24.): "I AM FIXING THIS PLACE IF IT KILLS!"

Didn't sound like a guy who wanted to walk away. This was followed, later in the day, with an airplane right back from a recruiting trip. Andersen found himself sitting on the plane beside former Ducks coach Mark Helfrich.

Andersen (Sept. 24):

"Just landed in Eugene... rode back with Helfrich. I like that guy a lot!!"

I suspected that Andersen might try to hire Helfrich at some point as a consultant. After all, the offense at OSU needed some imagination. Helfrich, who was doing some analyst work on television would be an interesting hire. The Beavers were struggling and looked like they were running a high school scheme. Andersen shot that down, though.

Andersen (Sept. 24): "Riot act has been read to this staff. We shall see what takes place. I have got to see better football regardless of who we are playing!!"

Washington is who they were playing, and Andersen wanted to see progress. Decide for yourself if that was realistic. But he clearly was still thinking about recruiting during the bye week, and building toward the program's future. He knew he needed immediate help in the form of graduate transfers and JUCO players.

Andersen (Sept. 24): "Need five graduate transfers in this class!!... I am in a good spot. Got a lot of '(expletive) everything' in me and that's when I am at my best!! Staff understands their (expletive) is on a short rope!! We are not great today but I expect to be better as we move forward this season!! I like this fight!"

A meeting was scheduled with Athletic Director Scott Barnes for 7 a.m. on Sept. 25. This was Monday after OSU's bye week. Andersen didn't seem particularly worried about the meeting, but was instead looking for some support from the administration. He checked in after the meeting.

Andersen (Sept. 25): "Was solid. We are on the same page overall... eight games... see where myself and these coaches can get these kids. I respect Scott and won't hold him hostage. I expect to see improvement in our performance!"

Andersen and Barnes are close. They worked together at Utah State in the same capacities. When Todd Stansbury left OSU, Andersen lobbied university president Dr. Ed Ray to get Barnes in the big chair in the athletic department. Also, as a vote of confidence in Andersen, Dr. Ray gave the football coach a one-year contract extension during the AD hiring process. That extension wouldn't be announced until after Barnes was hired, but it was Ray's gesture. He would hire Barnes and go deep in the "Gary Andersen" business. Still, Andersen seemed frustrated with unfinished facility projects and a lack of resources at times.

Andersen (Sept. 25): "It's Oregon State! Not bitching trust me on that one!! It is what it is!! I made my bed!! Grind and fight again tomorrow with my kids!! I was in a bad funk on bye week now it will be me with my guys the rest of the way!!"

Washington was coming to Corvallis in five days. The Huskies were good on offense, defense and special teams. Oregon State, with an extra week to prepare, and Andersen taking a larger role in the coaching of the defense, needed to show improvement. The first half ended with the Huskies up 7-0. It was encouraging. But Washington won 42-7.

Andersen (Sept. 30): "That's my best shot!! I will give it that again next week!! That offense is embarrassing!! On me..."

USC was next. Again, Andersen was openly frustrated with his assistant coaches. Especially on the offensive side of the ball. His AD, Barnes, showed up in the post-game news conference and offered a vote of confidence. It didn't seem to register with Andersen.

Andersen (Oct. 1): "I could give a flying (expletive) about natives! I have not looked or listened to any of that (expletive) good or bad... My plan won't change. Coach my (expletive) off for these kids seven more times!! They will get all I got!! ... I will grind for these fans they deserve that!!!"

Turns out it was only one more time, not seven. Because a week later, after losing at USC Andersen walked away. He met with Barnes on Sunday after the game and tore up a $12.6 million guaranteed contract in an unprecedented move. One of his staffers said, "Most unique man in college football." Another said, "Couldn't be prouder to be his guy but heartbroken that we failed him. Walking away from the money because he is in the business for the kids."

Andersen is unique. He knew fans deserved better. He died a little with every loss and obviously wasn't in this for the money. Even as his mindset shifted from fighting through the end of the season, to deciding he simply wasn't going to be able to fix it, that never changed. In six weeks, the Beavers third-year coach went from knowing his team was capable of making a bowl game to believing he couldn't do the job one day longer.

-- @JohnCanzanoBFT