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Ducks Fans Will Love This Take On Oregon Recruiting Target Will MenclThe Oregon Ducks continue to battle for four-star quarterback Will Mencl. A national recruiting analyst revealed where the Ducks stand in landing a commitment. Oregon Ducks On SIDucks Fans Will Love This Take On Oregon Five-Star Recrui...EUGENE – The Oregon Ducks continue to trend for the commitment of five-star quarterback Will Mencl. The elite recruit prepares to make spring visits, which shou

Bio says he played DE and LB, and started all four years at Austin Peay. Made the Deans List each of the four years, and graduated in 2014. He has 10 years of coaching experience, and may fit in well with the “young and hungry” coaching staff at Oregon.

Gat, how about your man, Steve Spurrier? OK, it was back in the 1990s and not in the 21st century, but Spurrier won many games, including the year of the messenger QB. Even more back, back, back, Paul Brown, who called the plays using a messenger guard. Lane Kiffin, although I think most of the plays are whispered in his ear by Charlie Weis, Jr. And also as you noted, Sark. Sark does not have a Natty, but he has many wins. Wherever he coached, the Pirate, Mike Leach, called the plays. And back in the dark ages, when I played, and through most of the 20th century, the QB on the field of play called the plays following the game plan crafted by his coach, including Jim Plunkett and many other successful QBs. And the best, experienced college QBs playing for successful programs, are allowed to audible. I don't think the person calling the plays matters more than the players executing the play calls. Jedd Fisch has called plays for college programs, including Michigan, and professional programs. I don't believe Fisch's calling plays is a detriment to his program. Is there a better Husky play caller? I don't know, and I don't care. Yes, play calling matters, but play calling success comes down to the Jimmies and the Joes.

There's too much on a head coach these days, to be a play caller. It was one of the things that doomed Billy Napier. It's been a problem for Sarkasian and Day. Name a National Champion the last decade that had also been a primary play caller.

Dante is 2026 B1G QB No. 1 - https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/big-ten-qb-rankings-2026-season-dante-moore-oregon/

Expert prediction logged for Oregon to land 4-star LB Brayton Feister https://duckswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/ducks/football/2026/03/02/oregon-football-brayton-feister-expert-prediction-commitment/88952193007/

Oregon Baseball Climbs in Coaches Poll After Strong Weekend in Las VegasOregon baseball went 2-1 at the Live Like Lou Classic with wins over Arizona and Vanderbilt, helping the Ducks move up to No. 23 in the latest USA Today Coaches Poll. https://247sports.com/college/oregon/article/oregon-baseball-climbs-in-coaches-poll-after-strong-weekend-in-las-vegas-276154551/

Yes, Jon, you are. And I'm right next to you waving mine!

The Oregon Ducks have hired Rip Rowan to their defensive coaching staff, an experienced coach at both the NFL and collegiate levels. How can the addition of Rowan help Oregon's defense that returns several key players for the 2026 season? What Rowan Brings to Oregon Ducks DefenseRowan’s experience coaching at both the collegiate and the NFL level makes him a valuable addition for an Oregon defense that looks to remain consistent under new defensive coordinator Chris Hampton, who takes over for Tosh Lupoi after his departure to become the coach for the California Golden Bears. Oregon Ducks On SIOregon's New NFL Coach Hire Is Bigger Than It AppearsThe offseason additions to Oregon coach Dan Lanning’s coaching staff continued on Monday, as the Ducks are expected to hire Rip Rowan as a member of their defen

Thank you for the info, H. Direct payments and NIL have leveled the CFB and CBB field talent wise. They have also reduced the depth and quality of the rosters. Amen on hiding mistakes. A basketball bench is much shorter than a football bench. And with the bigger NIL deals and direct payments being dedicated to football, once you have spent what is needed to take care of the starting five in basketball and maybe one or two other capable players, there is a substantial drop-off when starters are injured. Perhaps I'm just an old guy waving his cane, but today's players with better nutritional guidelines and strength and conditioning programs are more often injured than those of us raised by The Greatest Generation. And members of The Greatest Generation thought that starting both games in a doubleheader was no big deal. When basketball players competing in the NCAA and NBA today are dinged, many of these 'injured' players look like 'injured' professional soccer players who are at death's door and then back on their feet without going to the sidelines. When the guys who are being paid top dollar can't go, no matter how good the coaching, good luck. I think this disappointing season for Men's basketball has more to do with systemic issues than with Dana's coaching. The spirit is still there with this team, and the flesh is willing. But the flesh of healthy players is not ready for B1G-time ball.

At Michigan State, Garrett Briningstool is Chief of Staff/General Manager NIL. But, it may be akin to football where the head coach has an O-Coordinator but the head coach calls all the plays? Across college basketball a lot of head coaches are pretty insular about giving up any authority relative to recruiting and the portal. It would take a great personal relationship between a head coach and a GM for a head coach to trust him. It is easier to "hide mistakes" on a football roster than it is on a basketball roster - fewer guys play regularly, and more games for critics to snipe at.

The "GM slot" is there, but not sure the duties are: https://goducks.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/josh-jamieson/5409

Thanks, Jon. I've noticed the same thing about basketball players these days, especially my Trail Blazers, these guys are always hurt!!! Give me a break, wimps!

Agreed. NIL Money is being tossed at high school kids, and the amount is increasing at hyper-inflation rates. Anytime costs double in just a few years there are problems that need to be addressed for the long-term well being of the sport. As far as a full time GM for men’s basketball. The team has an executive director/assistant coach, and 4 assistant coaches. If you include DA, that is 6 people managing a roster of 16 to 18 players. Although, I have know idea of what an executive director does for the team.

Sounds like Altman does not want one, but perhaps he's changing he's views on this. Otherwise, the powers that be may have to impose one on him.

Yes, seems very odd that we were not, but apparently, Altman did not want it.

With Altman's tenure, is Rob Mullens prepared to force Altman into something that the coach doesn't think he needs? A lot of assumptions in this question, no doubt. Perhaps Dana asked for a GM, and Rob said no? Even without a GM, I cannot imagine that Dana is not receiving help on the direct payment and NIL fronts. I look at where Dana is in his career, and I think of Michigan State's Tom Izzo, another veteran coach who is not happy with the state of college athletics. While I am certain Izzo receives help on the transfer and NIL front, from what I can determine using a modest search engine being deployed by a guy with modest tech skills, Michigan State basketball does not have a GM. Thanks for another thought-provoking article, Darren. Are you or any of us certain that the money for a GM is available? The cash king is football. Rob Mullens says football ticket prices are going up in 2026 because the athletic department needs more money. This is happening at Oregon, one of twelve B1G athletic departments that is in the black. (Private schools USC and Northwestern do not have to file a financial statement with the Department of Education.) But dig deeper: many profitable programs, mostly due to football, student fees, and state support, are revenue-wise in the black but carry significant debt and debt service obligations. From a liquidation analysis, many of these 'profitable' athletic departments are functionally insolvent. According to Big Ten Network, across the Big Ten and its panoply of varsity sports, one team outside of Football and Men's Basketball is profitable. The Minnesota men's hockey team. The injuries are troubling. Are the strength and conditioning programs for varsity sports at Oregon and elsewhere across the conference operating at the top level? Perhaps it is generational, but athletes today seem to be injured and unable to play more than back in the day when boo-boos were cured by rubbing some dirt on them. GM or not, the majority of B1G Men's basketball teams have not had their full complement of athletes available this season, including OBD, UCLA, USC, and UW. You can bring players in with NIL, but with bigger bodies banging together at faster speeds, can you keep them healthy? A GM would likely help with the roster, but would be of no help with keeping the roster at full strength. Win the opening game in the B1G CBB tournament on Tuesday, March 10th, and advance. The team is down this year, but the team has not given up, a testament to Dana Altman. Thanks again, Darren, for the terrific and timely article. The cost of fielding varsity college programs is unsustainable. But can this problem be fixed?

YES! This progrum needs all the help it can get . Seems to be treated like the redheaded stepchild of a dead beat dad as of late.

For the women, the 1 point loss to UW yesterday was a drop from No. 8 to No. 11 in seed. And, the No. 8 seed in the bracket would not have been cozy either. 2026 Allstate Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament Bracket Announced

As usual, good article Darren . . . but a GREAT point to cover. I hope Mullens has a subscription to the Forum.

I'm with you Darren...I never could have imagined the program declining like this. I was encouraged to see the Women get 20 wins, and then I see that they are the No. 11 Seed in the B1G tournament? Wow. How far we have fallen...

Oregon Ducks Baseball Turns Heads With Live Like Lou Vegas Classic VictoryWith the Oregon Ducks undefeated entering the Live Like Lou Vegas Classic, they leave victorious with only one loss of the tournament, their first against UC Irvine. Plus, eight Ducks made the all-tournament team. Oregon Ducks On SIOregon Ducks Baseball Turns Heads With Live Like Lou Vega...Only 11 games into their 2026 season, the Oregon Ducks baseball team is on a roll in an attempt to capture the College World Series glory that last years' squad

What's new with the Oregon Ducks' QB room ahead of 2026 spring season? https://duckswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/ducks/football/2026/03/02/oregon-football-spring-quarterback-preview/88933898007/

STACKED: Oregon’s Dante Moore, Dylan Raiola, Brock Thomas Lead ELITE College Football QB Room

YES! Agree to getting a GM for basketball. Dana needs help! Oregon should have been at the forefront in this matter. Thanks Darren