Mike West

Anyone here still believe Oregon isn't a premiere destination? We're going to get the best coach possible given the circumstances. THEN, well go back to complaining about what's wrong with the program lol. When life seems uncertain to me, I rely on faith that good things will happen. My life has worked out pretty well. And from the comments I've seen in this forum, a resounding majority of us have always landed where we expected to be. What makes us think Oregon Football will be any different? Oregon's future is bright.

Well the Snake had a better offense than Chip when Herbert was playing. And he didn't have D1 experience.

It's almost as if you're saying we should hire a Mario Cristobal, a Mark Helfrich or a Willie Taggart. Do you see the blue bloods doing that? USC, LSU and Oklahoma didn't look for those type of coaches. We are in their league are we not? Oklahoma went with a guy that took a "stepping stone" away from them. The game has left Homers behind. It is strictly an arms race whether we like it or not. I sure don't like it, but I'm realistic. Every year for the rest of your life Athletic Directors will have a full Rolodex. They will attend national coaching conventions. They will network like they've never networked before.

It's not just a matter of the candidate pool. The best candidates are still coaching major bowls, so the timing couldn't be worse.

My belief is Justin Wilcox is another Willie Taggart, Mario Cristobal, and Mark Helfrich. You have to be qualified to elevate your program to Natty caliber. Like Chris Peterson qualified. Wilcox is not. If you want another Rich Brooks or Len Casanova, your going to get the results they got. And it will take just as long as they did. The goal is to win multiple titles. Not manage someone else's talent, then fade into the sunset. The only reason Wilcox gave Cristobal headaches is because Cristobal let most coaches give him headaches. Wilcox is not the answer if national titles are the question.

Ah my good friend Jon, The best part of your writing "game" is your knowledge. Especially your knowledge of the national scene. Yes, I'm clearly a Homer, and I see mostly positive when it comes to OBD. That said, our chances of surviving ( or should I say garnering a winning record versus ) our 2022 OOC schedule are up in the air, since we are backpedaling from recent events. I do like the tough schedules, but only if we keep getting top ten recruiting classes. Hiring the right coach (with the right stuff) is critical. We need a coach that can develop his players, and out coach his peers. You hit the bullseye on what's required to win titles. And every champion requires a little bit of luck. Good luck that is, because we had bad luck in both of our title shots ( the "tackle that want a tackle" the first time, then an unfortunate rash of injuries along with an unfortunate disqualification the second time). Every year, we as fans seem to get more demanding because we've been so close over the past twelve years. But aren't you glad we're not Georgia? All that talent, only to cave (so often) to a well known nemesis. It's so good to be a Duck. We haven't hit an iceberg. Let's hope we hire an excellent coach that gets us a title within four years ( that's about the longest era we'll get from a coach ).

If Tedford still wants to coach, I'd go after him for damn sure.

You're no snob David. I think you have a very valid point. I personally think he's interesting. I'm done with the Spread for the most part. I believe it should be part of an offense that primarily works under center. I don't see enough Sequentials ( Constraint plays for the football expert) that work unless the QB running it is extremely elite Too many well coached and talented defenses are stopping the Spread now. I'm looking for a HC that knows offenses period. But I want a coach that can make a conventional offense explosive and incorporate some Spread wrinkles. The Ducks are loaded on offense, and these players can execute any type of offense. In fact Cristobal might have been more effective running a conventional offense. Lots of angst out there. Well be fine.

Cal, like UCLA recruits students like NASA recruits astronauts. Not many astronauts win national titles. I like that Fentress will ask tough questions. But he's even more arrogant than I am. And I don't agree with much he has to say. There are some good Coordinators on both sides of the ball Phil can recruit and incentivize to 8 million. I'm no sports world negotiator, but that's my angle. I saw some damn good coaching this weekend. Somebody in that group of Coordinators is wise enough to duplicate what the Snake did- hire a good ensemble of coaches (but this time more effective at developing players and game time coaching) and recruit like the best. The coaching talent is out there. A Coordinators that has been preparing himself has paid attention the past five years. Let's hope that man is ready to eventually surpass the fine job we've experienced the past twelve years. Rest of your life coach? I don't see that happening anywhere. The college football world has changed forever.

If Cristobal wins a conference title, he's done his job. The ACC has been Clemson and everybody else. Mario has a shot. Like it or not. Natty? Don't see it unless he REALLY CHANGES. He won't get the head start he got here, so he better start changing pronto.

6 million base, incentives to win the division, win the conference, win the Rose Bowl, win the Natty. Do it the old fashioned way... EARN IT

Amen Charles. I'm disappointed, but I've been on the fence since the conversation got real about him leaving. I wish him great fortune no matter what because he's the type of man many men should aspire to be Life at elite levels like college football, pro football, corporations (and just about anywhere the most talented people in life compete) is rough and tumble. MC has principles and is a man of integrity. I believe he really is trying to do the right thing for all involved. Life is brutal. I'd go to battle for a man like Mario Cristobal.

I really don't think Utah is a mediocre team. Time will tell because Ohio State is slightly better than Oregon this year.

I actually believe the players can't cover. The CBs have been a major disappointment given their respective "ratings".

Impressive article Jordan! Here's my take: 1) Very good points on the potential losses to the program if MC leaves 2) Possible bright sides:. Oklahoma State and Baylor both have Offensive Coordinators that coached brilliantly yesterday. Baylor's OC came from BYU. I'd take either one as HC. The Oregon brand is strong. If the Snake can recruit to Oregon, and MC ramped it up better, well those two showed they can compete with Lincoln Riley on the field ( AND WIN). That's a narrative that both will be able sell to recruits. I'm going to give MC the benefit of the doubt. Utah served him some major humble pie. He will lose all credibility if he doesn't deliver a playoff berth next year (at Oregon). THAT WILL REQUIRE CHANGE. If he stays, he was shown exactly what it takes to reach the playoffs this week ( by several programs). And it's not what he's been providing ( with THREE playoff caliber teams at that). If MC matches the performance at USC the last two years ( the only two true dominant victorious against equal talent) -over a full year, we really will have to pay him mega bucks. And he'd be worth it. That requires an authentic NFL caliber QB. He may have three on his hands. So the ball win be in his court front and center next year ( he can find his OC- but HE MUST DELIVER).

MC is wearing sweats. Possibly a good sign ( unlike that suit we saw the Snake wearing four years ago ) .

The operative phrase here. MC was introduced to his vision by another coach. That is how a physical offense is supposed to perform. My question is what team doesn't want to be physical? Oh FishDuck, can you tell us what you learned after MC spent time with you after his first presser?

It's kind of win-win if you think about it. If he leaves, there will still be plenty of talent for the right guy. If he stays, he has time to reflect on if he wants to win, or learn more lessons the hard way. I'm very disappointed with the tread water performance. But I still wish MC the best, and no matter where he goes, a good soul search may do him good because he is a B Minus coach right now. Championships require more. So my question to every coach out there is: Are you serious about doing everything it takes to be your best, and get the best every day out of your team- including the willingness to leave your ego at the door?

I saw plenty of very good coaching in that game today. Both teams killed momentum with good play calling on both sides of the ball. Not seeing that in the PAC12 these days. And to think, the conference rejected Oklahoma State. Same as it ever was... I'm starting to think there's been a talent drain going on out West. Hubris, entitlement, and entrenchment mentality is aplenty.

Hammer on the nail 30. In four years, we haven't seen that kind of performance from MC's teams at all. That actually speaks volumes.

But it's almost an insult to Brown for being who he's been all year. I saw Oklahoma State play two QBs in the first half. I say get the backup started be giving him a drive or two. In fact, is get both backups some time. Honor Brown for his accomplishments, display the backups so they see what they need to work on. I'd never be a coach because I don't think inside that box they ask seem to stay in (why u don't know).

While I agree overall, Brown is so Helter Skelter it is difficult to find method to get him in a groove. That said, I believe Morehead went with what he does best and UTAH WAS VERY PREPARED FOR IT. Four the life of me, two that work the guy and we didn't figure out twenty to thirty plays the guy can execute? Chip bragged about having 287 plays when he was here. Four to ten million a year? You BETTER be using those 287 plays. That's $13,937 for each play in your playbook. GET TO WORK MAN I CHOSE THE WRONG CAREER. THERE'S GUYS GET PAID MILLIONS FOR BEING SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN AVERAGE.

Hey FishDuck, You mentioned that conversation with Cristobal this week. Did you gather Cristobal was this stubborn?

I don't want to ever hear the word physical again. If I don't start seeing the word EXPLOSIVE, I'm tuning Mario out. He's lost this team ( for the same reason- everybody expects physicality). Coach speak will not work anymore. They have too much talent to fall apart like this. And sure enough Herbie called this event a setback. In other words the narrative about Oregon had completely shifted. Utah is imposing the kind of personality I've talked about: Killer instinct. Mental toughness. Big play execution. They look physical, but they are actually EXPLOSIVE.

Ok, I just saw that RB to the sideline route for the Fifth time. Utah was ready the FIRST TIME. What's the definition of insanity again?