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He might be in the running for the Raiders head coaching job though.
Im sure he will have opportunities to stay in the NFL or jump to college. The Raiders job would be a good job for him though.
 
Agree. The next coach HAS to be a big name IMO. Or the exodus will be unkind.

I'm not so sure about that. Eugene is just not a destination location, no matter how much money Phil Knight can throw at someone. If we are happy with the 3-4 year turnaround at coaches who leave Oregon for better or more comfortable surroundings, then get Urban Meyer on the phone and Venmo him a bank. He'll still only be here 4-5 years max even with a ridiculously huge buyout clause. And then the Ducks will have to do it all over again. Do we really want to be on this wheel of coaches forever?
 
I've been told that the Canzano story about the offer to MC being pulled is pretty accurate (I used to have better inside source(s) than I do now, but still have a couple of ancillary ones)

Mario is a good coach and great recruiter. What is also apparent is that he's a bullshitter too because he didn't walk the walk he preached. I think a big reason for that is just the landscape of college football. And honestly, the landscape is trashed because of the obscene amount of money being thrown around. It's only going to get worse because it can't be regulated in any meaningful way.
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So, what now?

well first, there will be de-commitments from this year's recruiting class. There has already been one, and there will be others plus several opening their options back up. The class will likely lose several, perhaps including some of their top recruits. There will also be at least a few players quickly entering the transfer portal, and more players jumping in over the next couple of months.

the timing is bad for Oregon because the early signing day is Dec 15, only 9 days away and I doubt the Ducks will have a new coach in place before then. It's going to be a rough time for Oregon on the recruiting front. I think they'll lose a lot of talent from the class. They might be able to make up for it some in the 2nd signing day in Feb. But they'll likely need to score some wins in the transfer portal too
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Head coach candidates?

I have a pretty good idea that when Chip left, Oregon reached out to a lot of big names and received very little interest back. They did the same thing after firing Helfrich and got the same lack of interest. Big name coaches want to coach a lot closer to recruiting hot-beds than Oregon. They don't want to fight against the distance from a recruits home that Eugene represents.

so, if you're thinking about coaches like Dave Aranda at Baylor, or Luke Frickell at Cincinnati, or Matt Campbell at ISU, those guys are probably pipe dreams unless Oregon offers up crazy money. And those kinds of coaches would almost certainly have one foot out the door when they arrived anyway. I've heard some chatter about Kalani Sitake at BYU, but he's already coaching at his Alma-mater.

a lot of Duck fans have a big passion for Chip Kelly. Or rather, they have a passion for the Oregon ghost of Chip Kelly...a mirage at best. Funny thing is many of those fans like Kelly because they think Mario was a bad game-day coach and Chi was a great game-day coach. They have amnesia about the fact that Chip is 0-3 against Mario. I'd hate if the Ducks went for Chip again. I think it would be a big mistake

I've heard a couple of hints that Phil Knight (and other big Duck donors) are really sick of hiring coaches who have dream jobs somewhere else besides Oregon. It kind of sounds like they want to try and re-create the stability of the Bellotti era. Which explains why I've heard there may be mutual interest between the powers-that-be at Oregon and Justin Wilcox. Wilcox does not have a great record at Cal, but he's an Oregon native and a Duck alum, and his dream job may be Oregon. He has had poor resources at Cal (there's minimal commitment to the football program there) so the thinking is that he'd do much better with the resources Oregon has. I'm pretty ambivalent about it. I'd hope Oregon could do better, but knowing how little interest big name coaches have shown in Oregon in the recent past, Wilcox gets default elevation...I guess
 
I could see that. Thought about Wilcox myself. But Duck supporters will have to be REAL Patient if that happens. I don't see Phil having that kind of time. Luke Fickell fits everything that Oregon is about.

Fickell just made the playoffs coaching at Cincinnati. No Pac-12 team has made the playoffs since 2016. He's an Ohio native and a Ohio State grad who is coaching in Ohio. He has never played or coached anywhere but in Ohio and he has no west coast ties. I think he's a pipe dream to be honest
 
It wasn’t all that long ago that Cal was taking a very serious look at deemphasizing sports in order to increase their academic reputation (the Academics felt that sports in general and football in particular took too many financial resources from academia). The success of the Jed Tedford era literally snatched the football program from their grasping hands. But my understanding is that the pendulum might be swinging back towards an emphasis on academics again (it takes crazy money to compete anymore). I guess my point is that Justin Wilcox is likely a better coach than the record might show. It could be interesting to see how he does with all the resources Oregon has at its’ disposal…….
 
It wasn’t all that long ago that Cal was taking a very serious look at deemphasizing sports in order to increase their academic reputation (the Academics felt that sports in general and football in particular took too many financial resources from academia). The success of the Jed Tedford era literally snatched the football program from their grasping hands. But my understanding is that the pendulum might be swinging back towards an emphasis on academics again (it takes crazy money to compete anymore). I guess my point is that Justin Wilcox is likely a better coach than the record might show. It could be interesting to see how he does with all the resources Oregon has at its’ disposal…….

from the little 'inside' chatter I've heard, that kind of sounds like the thinking of the Duck powers-that-be. Wilcox was one of the best DC's in the NCAA as an assistant coach. And his Cal teams have been physical. I have a hunch he'll at least get an interview, but the UofO will really want to hear Wilcox say some positive things about how aggressive he'll be hiring coordinators and coaches that have elite recruiting records.

but again, I've had hints there is a desire at the UofO for the stability of the Bellotti era, adapted to the modern times in recruiting and coaching using the leverage of the Duck facilites and the Duck brand. Pretty good chance Wilcox would not view Oregon as a stepping stone but rather a destination
 
Fickell just made the playoffs coaching at Cincinnati. No Pac-12 team has made the playoffs since 2016. He's an Ohio native and a Ohio State grad who is coaching in Ohio. He has never played or coached anywhere but in Ohio and he has no west coast ties. I think he's a pipe dream to be honest

Jimmy Lake
 
from the little 'inside' chatter I've heard, that kind of sounds like the thinking of the Duck powers-that-be. Wilcox was one of the best DC's in the NCAA as an assistant coach. And his Cal teams have been physical. I have a hunch he'll at least get an interview, but the UofO will really want to hear Wilcox say some positive things about how aggressive he'll be hiring coordinators and coaches that have elite recruiting records.

but again, I've had hints there is a desire at the UofO for the stability of the Bellotti era, adapted to the modern times in recruiting and coaching using the leverage of the Duck facilites and the Duck brand. Pretty good chance Wilcox would not view Oregon as a stepping stone but rather a destination
If they want to go back to Bellotti days go after Bellotti or Joey harrington.
 
I like Mario. He's an insane recruiter. But just not really a great X's and O's coach. The team is lacking the same swagger that it had during Chip's era.
 
Dan Mullen was a serious consideration before Willy!
He's experienced and available.
 
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How about thinking outside the box a bit and looking at smaller-college coaches in Oregon and Washington. Some of them have experience in the Div 1 / FBS.
 
Ha no. You got Phil Knight and a good young team. You swing for the fences and dole out as much money as you need to
Shouldn't matter if its another stepping stone, go after the best coach you can even if he's only here 4-5 years and keep the momentum going.
Offer the guy at Baylor the same money we offered Mario, he a hell of a coach and is from LA.
 
Shouldn't matter if its another stepping stone, go after the best coach you can even if he's only here 4-5 years and keep the momentum going.
Offer the guy at Baylor the same money we offered Mario, he a hell of a coach and is from LA.

Original poster said go after a local smaller school coach. You really think that Phil Knight and Mullins are going to be going after Linfields head coach or something? No
 
Shouldn't matter if its another stepping stone, go after the best coach you can even if he's only here 4-5 years and keep the momentum going.
Offer the guy at Baylor the same money we offered Mario, he a hell of a coach and is from LA.

again...I know that Oregon went after big names like Aranda or Frickell or Campbell twice before (not those specific names, others that were hot commodities at the time): when Chip left and when Helfrich was fired. And they did not find any willing ears.

I'm assuming they've already reached out to candidates. They very likely have already talked to Baylor and Cincinnati (they have to ask permission first) and may have already talked to Aranda, or at least his agent. Maybe Frickell and Campbell too. And may have already got the same kind of responses they got in past searches

I've also been told that Phil Knight is really tired of any Duck initial conversations & negotiations being used as leverage by coaches they contact to negotiate extensions and contracts with other schools

one name that hasn't been mentioned you might want to keep an eye on: Andy Avalos
 
again...I know that Oregon went after big names like Aranda or Frickell or Campbell twice before (not those specific names, others that were hot commodities at the time): when Chip left and when Helfrich was fired. And they did not find any willing ears.

I'm assuming they've already reached out to candidates. They very likely have already talked to Baylor and Cincinnati (they have to ask permission first) and may have already talked to Aranda, or at least his agent. Maybe Frickell and Campbell too. And may have already got the same kind of responses they got in past searches

I've also been told that Phil Knight is really tired of any Duck initial conversations & negotiations being used as leverage by coaches they contact to negotiate extensions and contracts with other schools
one name that hasn't been mentioned you might want to keep an eye on: Andy Avalos

I find it interesting that according the the Ducks AD, Miami never reached out and asked permission to speak to Mario, even though he was under contract. Seems a little shady to not reach out to the school
 
again...I know that Oregon went after big names like Aranda or Frickell or Campbell twice before (not those specific names, others that were hot commodities at the time): when Chip left and when Helfrich was fired. And they did not find any willing ears.

I'm assuming they've already reached out to candidates. They very likely have already talked to Baylor and Cincinnati (they have to ask permission first) and may have already talked to Aranda, or at least his agent. Maybe Frickell and Campbell too. And may have already got the same kind of responses they got in past searches

I've also been told that Phil Knight is really tired of any Duck initial conversations & negotiations being used as leverage by coaches they contact to negotiate extensions and contracts with other schools

one name that hasn't been mentioned you might want to keep an eye on: Andy Avalos
I get it, Oregon's not a destination. But if they are willing to pay the kind of money a destination school is?
Mullins in his press release referenced Oregon as a top ten program and there will be great interest?
With all the money being thrown at coaches and even Oregons proposed huge offer to keep Mario, I would suspect candidates this time around may show more interest.
 
I get it, Oregon's not a destination. But if they are willing to pay the kind of money a destination school is?
Mullins in his press release referenced Oregon as a top ten program and there will be great interest?
With all the money being thrown at coaches and even Oregons proposed huge offer to keep Mario, I would suspect candidates this time around may show more interest.

we'll see I guess
 
Original poster said go after a local smaller school coach. You really think that Phil Knight and Mullins are going to be going after Linfields head coach or something? No
Chip Kelly came from the University of New Hampshire. Where would Oregon be without Chip Kelly?
 
if you want a candidate list of lesser known names, just saw this one at 247:

* Sean Lewis: Head Coach at Kent State (Lewis is innovative, dynamic and runs a highly successful offense)

* Jamey Chadwell: Head Coach at Coastal Carolina (runs a great and innovative offense and has a track record of success)

* Tony Elliott: Offensive Coordinator, Clemson

* Blake Anderson: Head Coach at Utah State (Anderson is solid, both at Arkansas State and implementing an amazing one year turnaround at Utah State)

* Jeff Lebby: Offensive Coordinator at Ole Miss (Another guy who operates a high flying offense who is young and dynamic. I love his experience as he has been mentored by some really solid offensive minds)

* Dan Lanning, Co - Defensive Coordinator, Georgia (He’s a great recruiter, energetic, highly thought of in the industry has a work ethic second to none, and has risen remarkably fast in a short time)
 
I think they’re going to throw huge money at Dave Aranda. Just a hunch
 
I find it interesting that according the the Ducks AD, Miami never reached out and asked permission to speak to Mario, even though he was under contract. Seems a little shady to not reach out to the school
I think they’re going to throw huge money at Dave Aranda. Just a hunch
He's seems happy there and Baylor would match anything Oregon offered. They have a heck of a program there, new facilities, and they are winning with a young team. I would think Baylor is as good a job as Oregon's.
 
You should follow the Beavers lead and hire a former UofO quarterback. Personally, I hope they choose Jeremiah Masoli.

That would be fun in that it would get me free tix.
 

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