Oregon State football has a new leader in head coach JaMarcus Shephard, and he is signed to a five-year contract to lead the Beavers into the future.

Shephard will make $1.6 million in 2026 with an annual increase of $75,000, according to a memorandum of understanding between OSU athletic director Scott Barnes and Shephard, signed by both parties on Nov. 28. That includes a $960,000 base salary and $640,000 in ancillary/supplemental income.

The Oregonian/OregonLive obtained the details of Shephard’s employment contract Wednesday via public records request.

By comparison, previous OSU coach Trent Bray’s contract paid him $2 million total per year, parsed out to a $1.2 million base salary and $800,000 in non-salary compensation. OSU also ended up paying — with donor-generated funds — $4 million to buy out Bray when it fired him midway through the 2025 season.

Shephard will trigger an automatic, one-year contract extension should the Beavers make it to the Pac-12 championship game during his tenure. He could also earn up to $650,000 per year in additional performance incentives, according to the MOU.

Shephard will also receive $20,000 in relocation assistance and $3,000 per month for four months to pay for any temporary housing as his family makes the move to Corvallis. He will also receive a complimentary car, country club membership, a suite in Reser Stadium and several other, typical amenities that come with being a head coach.

In this era of constant movement in college football, a buyout clause is in place for Shephard should he choose to leave OSU, and it scales down over the years.

If he gives notice of his departure before the first year is up, Shephard and/or his future employer would be required to pay OSU $6 million. That drops to $4.8 million in the second year, $3.6 million in the third year, $2.4 million in the fourth year and $1.2 million in the fifth and final year of the current contract.

If OSU fires Shephard without cause before the contract is up, it would owe him 70% of his total annual salary on a monthly basis for the remainder of the term. Any money Shephard would earn at another job after that firing could offset those costs for OSU.