Charles Fischer

I could not believe my eyes as I read part of an article referring to how Justin Flowe could be a high NFL Draft pick next spring. What? He's only played in two games! But two years have passed and with this being his third year...he is eligible for the NFL Draft in April of 2023. Here's hoping he sets the world on fire this fall for his benefit and Oregon's!

To me, the craziest part is the foolishness of a new coach to change what was working so well. Charles....he is gone now...let it go!

And this does not include how Oregon was the first team in NCAA history to score 45 points a game for five years straight...

How can it get any better than that? Coming from an assistant coach--Wowsa. That is one incredible culture Lanning is building! Something tells me...

Good point.

There are few people out there who are a bigger fan of what Chip did at Oregon than I....but I agree with JDuck on this.

Just as Clemson did when they rose from the ashes of losing to dominate their conference and go on to Playoffs and 'Nattys. What I worry about is...to compete with B1G/SEC programs in football, more of the budget pie at Oregon will need to go to football and thus sports will have to be cut. I know I've said this before, and I guess I am just trying to get used to the idea.

Good gosh I hope you are right! You need a savvy media negotiator who has experience, and I'm glad we have George and not Larry!

Let's see the on-field results before you write the conference or Oregon off. You may be pleasantly surprised...

CountryProf...it is great to have you on-board as a new member. Thanks for the stats, and do post often--WELCOME!

Wowsa. This is pretty amazing.... "Without a doubt (this staff is special). That's why we all came here," said Love. "When Coach Lanning put together a staff of incredible people, everybody had options, everybody wanted all these coaches to go to different schools, so it wasn't just Oregon was their only option. He got people that are elite, but the most important thing that he did was he got coaches that care about the kids, and it's real. And that's the best thing about what coach did is get real coaches who want to serve the kids, who want to create greatness for themselves and their families. But more importantly for the players. And what he's created here, and it's pretty incredible. And we're so excited to be part of this chapter."

If you put this together with the Canzano article...it would seem that the upcoming announcement in the above article would give support to ESPN, and assure that evil channel, that yes--we intend to stick together and thus you can put together a good package for us. Or would the announcement be for other entities? The streaming services?

Some good information here, although this makes me pause.... • Thompson negotiated dozens of these kinds of deals with a variety of conferences in his career. He said that ESPN may decide to make a shrewd offer to the Pac-12, knowing that it if it’s rejected, the conference is likely to fall apart and have a handful of members end up with the Big 12. “ESPN,” he said, “can then go after those rights buoyed by the fact that they have $$$ in their pocket that they didn't pay the Pac 12.” For me, it is a article that tortures me with the possibilities, because ESPN could save the Pac-10, or destroy it. The thought that we are in ESPN's hands....our destiny is tied to their decisions and working with them makes me ill.

I just don't know if she has the personality to be the leader that is needed.....

Well BlazerDuck, it would not happen without all the volunteers that are writers, editors, moderators, and Duck News Hunters. Working together, we make it work and keep both sites free for all! Representing all of us on the staff as volunteers…thank you!

I was wondering when somebody would notice that word that I bolded, as I found it pretty hilarious that he was referring to higher academics when he can hardly write correctly! I could not make this stuff up…

I take the “good or good” approach with other teams in the conference playing in big nonconference games. If they win, it’s good for the conference. If they lose, then that’s pretty good too! The problem is with in-conference games for me. When Washington plays USC… Why can’t they both lose?

BlazerDuck-you are new here, and have started out with great posts. Please post often, and welcome!

As of the games were not going to be intense enough..,that guy can generate hate for life.

I do not have words for the stupidity, the delusion, and the malicious intent toward Oregon... (From a USC Forum) "As a final finger to the Ducks I’m assuming you put in a clause that SC has veto power over any additional P12 teams joining the B10? I hate them so much, I hope they end up in the Mountain West." "Nah, pity them and schedule them as a non conference cupcake every year. Need to have a few mountain west teams in the schedule." "I’m fine with Oregon coming. They get solid ratings, have a ton of Nike money, and have shown they aren’t a true threat to USC." "If Oregon joins the BIG10, it's because of USC. As much as their fans say otherwise, the Big10 conference negotiated with USC first! So any more approvals, it's because we allowed it. Oregon wants to be USC so bad and they never will be. Nobody thinks about them at all." "I'm not sure Oregon would be excepted. A number of B10 Presidents welcomed SC and UCLA highlighting academics and research credibility. For B10 schools academics is important. Oregon is Pot-Head U.... with Poor/suspect academics.... also it does not have a a must have-market. A little flash because of football is not going to be enough." "Academically, Oregon is like a community college….B1G does not want that!" "I’m thinking the MWC. You guys owe Boise State a payback or three." "Given the histories of both programs, I personally feel that it is significantly more likely that USC starts skyrocketing compared to the last 12 years, and Oregon begins to decline from the last 12 years."

Some humor? You have to admit that this below would suck....

Interesting how these things play out...

Yes, I get how we get left out of big money not being in the B1G, but playing in the B1G would just feel SO WRONG. Iowa instead of Arizona? If I want a frigid game...I'd rather play Washington State in November instead of Minnesota. Stay in our region! Thoughts?

Pretty hard to beat that resume!

(From Oregon Athletics Press Release) EUGENE, Ore. – University of Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens has announced the hiring of Jerry Schumacher to lead the Oregon cross country and track and field program. Schumacher spent the past 15 years at the helm of the Nike Bowerman Track Club, establishing himself as one of the premier distance coaches in the world through his work and results with the Beaverton-based group. “Jerry Schumacher is a world-class track and field leader with a unique ability to build a dynamic team atmosphere to support a first-class experience for the athletes,” said Mullens. “He understands the modern athlete, the importance of building connection and developing young people to their fullest potential. His commitment to the athlete through his tireless work ethic is well known and we are excited that his leadership and passion will add to the tremendous legacy of the Oregon track and field and cross country programs.” As director and head coach of the Bowerman Track Club, Schumacher has coached 28 Olympians, seen his athletes win 10 Olympic and World Championship medals, and was named the 2017 USATF Coach of the Year. Schumacher jumps back into the collegiate ranks having spearheaded the University of Wisconsin men’s distance and cross country program between 1998-2008. During his time in Madison, the Badgers won two NCAA team titles—2005 cross country, 2007 indoor—and he was named the 2005 National Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year. “Track and field at the University of Oregon is unique in so many ways, from its incomparable history of success to the unparalleled support of the TrackTown community,” Schumacher said. “Rob Mullens and I share a common vision for the future of the program, and I’m grateful that he and his staff trust me to execute that vision. I am humbled by the opportunity to lead the program into the future and can’t wait to start working with the incredible student-athletes at the University of Oregon.” At the recently completed USATF Outdoor Championships, Schumacher and the Bowerman Track Club collected seven top-three finishes including victories by Grant Fisher and Elise Cranny in the men’s and women’s 5,000 meters, respectively. In his winning performance, Fisher broke the meet record with a time of 13:03.86 and led a 1-2 finish with BTC teammate Woody Kincaid. The group also secured national titles from Karissa Schweizer at 10,000 meters back in May and Marc Scott who won the 5,000 meters at the UK Athletics Championships last month. Overall, 11 members of the Bowerman Track Club representing four countries qualified for the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 including five men in the 5,000 meters. Schumacher’s athletes have proven themselves up to the challenge of the global stage. Most recently, Scott won World Indoor bronze over 3,000 meters this past March. At last summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Mo Ahmed (Canada) and Courtney Frerichs won silver in the men’s 5,000 meters and women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, respectively. Evan Jager won the group’s first Olympic medal in 2016 with his silver performance in the steeplechase. The Bowerman Track Club has produced 10 current American records and nine top-10 performances in world history. Seven of the 10 American records have come over the past four years including three in 2022: men’s indoor 5,000 meters (Fisher – 12:53.73), women’s indoor 5,000 meters (Cranny – 14:33.17) and men’s 10,000 meters (Fisher – 26:33.84). In 2017, Shalane Flanagan was the New York City Marathon champion and ended the 40-year drought for American women at the prestigious event. Along with the team’s national title in 2005, Schumacher guided the Wisconsin men’s cross country program to 10 top-five finishes including five runner-up showings (1999, 2002, ’03, ’04, ’06). In 2005, the Badgers placed their top six inside the top 20 including back-to-back NCAA individual champion Simon Bairu. The UW distance crew accounted for 28 of the team’s 40 points in winning the 2007 NCAA indoor title, led by 5,000-meter champion Chris Solinsky who was also runner-up at 3,000 meters. Two years prior, the Badgers tied the then-program-best finish of third at the 2005 NCAA Indoor Championships. Under Schumacher’s tutelage, Solinsky was a five-time NCAA champion, capping his standout career by sweeping the indoor and outdoor titles for 5,000 meters during the 2007 campaign. The Stevens Point, Wisc., native was also a four-time Big Ten champion and 14-time All-American for the Badgers. Schumacher was the 2008 USTFCCCA Great Lakes Region Men’s Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year and was the USTFCCCA Great Lakes Region Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year on four occasions. Along with the regional recognition, Schumacher was an eight-time Big Ten Cross Country Coach of the Year. During his coaching tenure in Madison, Schumacher was part of 24 Big Ten championships—nine cross country, eight indoor, seven outdoor—and guided five men to conference titles in cross country, a list that featured Bairu (three times), Teagenkamp, Matt Downin (two times), Jason Vanderhoof and Matt Withrow. Schumacher began his coaching career in 1997 as an assistant at the University of North Carolina. He’d spent the previous three years (1994-96) as director of operations at his alma mater. During his collegiate career at Wisconsin, Schumacher was a three-time All-American and a member of the Badgers’ squad that won the 1988 NCAA cross country title. He turned in a career-best NCAA finish of fifth place over 1500 meters at the 1993 national meet in New Orleans. The Wisconsin native ran a personal best of 3:39.46 in 1993, a time that still ranks 10th in UW program history. Schumacher and his wife Kathy have four children—Joshua, Makenna, Ryan and Eric. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING “I’ve known Jerry since I was 16 years old when he recruited me out of high school. With Jerry, it’s more than just about developing runners, it’s about building character. I’m ecstatic that he has the opportunity to get back into the collegiate scene and mold the next generation of runners.” - Simon Bairu Two-time NCAA XC champion at Wisconsin and former Canadian record holder (10,000m) “Jerry has been my coach and mentor for the last 13 years and I believe what separates him as a coach is his infectious enthusiasm, commitment and energy that he brings to his athletes! The incredible opportunity to lead one of the greatest track and field programs in the nation is not lost on him, and I know he will give his absolute best to the student-athletes and coaching staff at the University of Oregon.” - Shalane Flanagan 2017 New York City Marathon champion and four-time Olympian “The University of Oregon has made a fantastic hire. Jerry Schumacher is one of the best track and field coaches in the country. His passion and optimism are contagious. His knowledge, experience and strategic abilities make him a formidable opponent. He is also a great friend whom I have competed against, first as an athlete and then as a coach, for more than three decades. I am excited to have him back in the NCAA. I look forward to facing him and the Ducks for another three decades.” - Dave Smith Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at Oklahoma State “Jerry is the most insightful coach I have come across in my 25+ years in the sport. He aims high and has a tremendous record in meeting those goals. He has an innate ability to get his athletes to the start well-prepared and a keen sense of how they will perform that day. Jerry is also a really good guy who loves the sport and his athletes.” - Tom Ratcliffe Director of KIMbia Athletics and 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier (5,000m) Jerry Schumacher — BowermanTC WWW.BOWERMANTC.COM