Oregon State Beavers’ coaching staff has seen plenty of movement this offseason, but one departure stands out more than the rest. After going undrafted out of his alma mater in 2008, Kyle DeVan enjoyed a six-year career in the NFL with stops with the Jets, Colts, Redskins, Titans, and Eagles. Now the former O-line coach is once again leaving his alma mater to head to the NFL, and as one door opens for the coach, it leaves Benny Beaver’s team with an interesting financial windfall.

Kyle DeVan, a former NFL guard and an Oregon State alum (2003-07), is heading back to the pros. But for Oregon State, though, his departure is another challenge who finished this season 5-7. First-year head coach Trent Bray is trying to navigate a new era for the program following the collapse of the Pac-12. But there is a silver lining — one that comes with a price tag attached. Oregon State won’t be left empty-handed. When DeVan was hired last season, the school covered a $150,000 buyout that he owed to Charlotte, per USA Today.

After spending just one season as the Beavers’ offensive line coach, DeVan is set to join an NFL staff, reuniting with a familiar face from his past. His coaching career has been a nomadic one, taking him from Ball State to Arizona to Michigan, then onto stints at Colorado and Charlotte before finally landing at Oregon State. His next stop? The Chicago Bears, where he will serve as an assistant under offensive line coach Dan Roushar – 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz said. DeVan’s relationship with Roushar goes back nearly a decade when the two worked together in New Orleans during the 2015 season. That connection likely played a key role in his return to the NFL, as coaching hires often come down to familiarity and trust.

Now, with his departure, the Beavers are expected to receive compensation in return. While the exact figures haven’t been made public, coaching buyouts in these situations often provide some financial relief for programs losing staff to higher levels.

DeVan played 40 regular-season games in the NFL and had 26 starts. He also started four postseason games for the Colts, including the Super Bowl after the 2009 season.

The move highlights the unpredictability of coaching careers and how the NFL’s gravitational pull remains strong. He left Corvallis as an undrafted lineman dreaming of an NFL career, and now he returns to the league in a different capacity, carrying years of coaching wisdom with him.

Kyle DeVan’s contract and the remaining assistants in the Oregon State

Oregon State’s coaching staff is still taking shape as spring practice looms just 18 days away. One key figure gone, the O-line coach Kyle DeVan, was set to earn $600,000 next season. DeVan’s 2024 salary totaled $600,000 with a max bonus of $10,000, proving that OSU is willing to invest in its staff. But while DeVan’s gone, the Beavers now have some gaps to fill.

The team is currently searching for both a wide receivers coach and an offensive line coach, two critical positions for their development heading into the season.

Among the returning assistants from last year’s staff are offensive coordinator Ryan Gunderson, special teams guru Jamie Christian, secondary coach Rod Chance, and defensive line coach Ilaisa Tuiaki. AJ Cooper, previously in charge of outside linebackers, will now shift over to assist in the secondary.