OregonDucks

Although the way Taggaert left Oregon left a sour taste, I can’t blame coaches (or anyone else) for chasing their dream jobs, most at their alma mater. I would be much more concerned if Oregon coaches were taking laterals to schools they didn’t have any affiliation with. Even Chip left for the NFL. The fact that none of them have had success after leaving, while Oregon continues to roll, highlights the strength and advantages of the program. Coaching AT OREGON sets coaches up for success.

"Will Stein was elevated to UTSA's co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach on Jan. 8, 2022, after spending the previous two seasons as the Roadrunners' pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach." Based on an interview, it sounds as though Will Stein is calling plays this year but I'm not 100%.

If true, to me this implies that the new OC's team is playing this weekend and the person wants to avoid distractions with his current team. Why else would you wait until Sunday?

Lanning should camp out in Detroit until Dante signs with Oregon in December. LOL.

Oregon does not have a track record of paying coaches top dollar. Perhaps PK does not want to spend millions on a coordinator? As others have pointed out, he has been very generous with facilities, time, offering Nike’s support, etc. but hesitant to fund the operating budget.

If Oregon is willing to open up the pocketbook for a proven OC, Joe Brady or Dirk Koetter would both be no brainers, IMHO. I posted a potential dark-horse OC candidate on another thread: Will Stein, co-offensive coordinator and QB coach at UTSA. UTSA's offensive looks similar to what Oregon ran this year and UTSA ranked in the top 10 for points per possession, which we know is a stat important to Lanning. UTSA's QB, whom is very mobile, may have one more year of eligibility remaining, which is an added plus. Stein played QB for Louisville from 2008-12. https://youtu.be/Vfmuoi3tb9I

Good hire by Dilly. Baldwin's offensives were explosive at Eastern Washington. Not sure what happened at Cal (perhaps no one can succeed there?).

Mike Bellotti wanted to run a balanced offensive attack, when he was at Oregon. This is probably one of his criteria’s for potential offensive coordinators and Chip Kelly obviously fit the bill. Dillingham did run a balanced attack but, as you called out, there were times that he want away from run game. I can’t blame him for going to the pass against Georgia given the hole we were in.

If Bo leaves, I would be shocked if Oregon didn’t look for a transfer QB to complete against and then mentor the young QBs.

Gonzalez will be hard to replace but I've been impressed with Dontae Manning and Jahlil Florence. Obviously, they will need to work on their technique and get more reps to continue to develop to their potential. I'm sure that having Gonzalez around was extremely beneficial to the young CBs this year. They saw what a top college CB does in film study, in practice, etc. to get ready to play on Saturdays. It would also help the secondary if the defensive line could get more/any pressure on the QB. We also need to upgrade the safety position, IMHO.

Congratulations on your retirement, Mic!

From my understanding, a player can only transfer one time and be granted immediate eligibility ("one-time transfer exception"). Therefore, Bo Nix cannot transfer to another college football program since he only has 1 year of eligibility remaining, unless he receives an NCAA waiver (highly unlikely, IMHO). This is a good rule, IMO, because it prevents players from transferring or threatening to transfer every year to get more NIL dollars. "The “one-time transfer exception” remains in place, allowing immediate eligibility for athletes the first time they transfer. For all subsequent transfers, athletes will still be required to sit out a year or receive an NCAA waiver for immediate eligibility." NCAA modifies portal rules, adds 'transfer windows' WWW.AL.COM Athletes must give notification to transfer within certain ‘windows’

It’s a bummer that Thornton is entering the transfer portal but not shocking. His physical traits are off the charts but there are things that he needs to work on to be more productive. As others have mentioned, Oregon is stacked at the wide receiver position with Franklin, Hutson and the other young wide receivers coming in. Oregon will be fine. I wish him the best, unless he transfers to USC. LOL. Anyone find it a bit ironic that USC is depending on Oregon transfers to build their roster? How times change...

I looked at Cardwell to be a breakout player this year, without T. Dye. Wonder how much the injury played a part vs. just getting beat out by Bucky and Noah? Was he in the coach’s doghouse for some reason? I think that Cardwell could do really well if he finds the right system. Wish him the best.

As much as I like the Rose Bowl Game, the stadium is terrible. The college football playoffs should use SoFi Stadium, if they want to host the game in LA.

I am more shocked that ASU made the decision to hire Dillingham as their head coach. From my understanding, Dillingham only has one year calling plays as OC. Yes, overall, he did a good job this year. However, how much of this year’s offensive success was due to Bo Nix? Can Dillingham develop QBs and how efficient would the offense be without a Heisman caliber QB? Just like Lanning, I believe that Dillingham needs to learn when to gamble. For example, the WR reverse against Utah when you have a lead, are dominating the game, backed up near your goal line and have brought in the backup QB for his first snap of the game was head scratching. Other times his play calling was too predictable (usually in the red zone). I still am having nightmares about the QB sneak where Nix got injured against UW or the 3 straight runs up the middle inside the 5 against OSU. Overall, Dillingam did a fine job this year. Oregon’s offense was fun again. I’m just not sure how much of the success was due to Nix and what the offense would look in a couple of years from now. I certainly can’t blame Dillingham for taking the ASU job and would like to believe that it was one of the few HC jobs that would have pried him away from Oregon. Just question ASU’s decision. Guess we’ll find out.

With all due respect, isn’t it the coach’s job to evaluate the talent they have (strengths and weaknesses) and devise a plan to win with what you have? The most troubling thing for me is that the defense didn’t improve throughout the season.

I respectfully disagree - the Ducks are ONE play away from 12-1 and a spot in the playoffs. If Dillingham didn’t call the, obvious to everyone in the stadium, QB sneak (after a Washington timeout no less), Nix wouldn’t have been injured and the Ducks would have cruised to the playoffs despite the horrible Oregon defense.

Any other 2023 4/5 star recruits named Dante that Oregon can target, preferably a wide receiver or TE?! Dante Moore Dante Dowdell Dante _____?

I didn't realize that Jurrion grew up with Troy Franklin. That would be a great mentor to have as you enter college. Hope Oregon can keep Junior Adams. He has done a fantastic job with the wide receivers and sounds like he has a great relationship with Jurrion.

I personally believe that Rob Mullens has done a great job as AD of the University of Oregon and has represented the University well on the national stage. Glad that we have him as we face the uncertainty surrounding conference realignment and media deals.

I wish I shared your optimism the “day after” but as others have pointed out I am concerned with our coach’s in-game decision making/not learning from his previous mistakes, a defense that has not shown improvement, the uncertainty surrounding conference alignment/TV payouts, the apparent rise of other programs out West, losing our OC after 1 year and the potential recruiting fall out. What would Oregon’s record have been this year, if Bo Nix did not decide to transfer to Oregon? My guess is that we would have been 4-7: Georgia – L Eastern Washington – W BYU – L WSU – L Stanford – W Arizona – W UCLA – L California – W Washington - L Utah - L OSU - L Bo Nix covered up a lot of issues within the Oregon program that only became apparent to all once he was injured. I am flabbergasted that Oregon could not field a better defense or one that at least improved as the year went along. USC ended the season with a better PPG against than Oregon! I'm not suggesting that Lanning be fired but he has a lot of questions to answer as he enters year 2. I would be surprised if he had 4-5 years, as some have mentioned, due to PK's desire to win now. [Perhaps losing to both Washington and Oregon State to finish the year is just going to take some time to get over...]

LOL. If the goal is to win a national championship, Urban Meyer. He has won everywhere he has been and reportedly has a close relationship with Phil. Perhaps he would relish the challenge. Just have the Oregon Governor ban clubs within 100 miles of Eugene and hire someone good in compliance with veto power to follow him around and watch over his shoulder...

Joe Brady would be a no brainer but I wonder how he would feel about working for a younger head coach. Not too long ago his name was being thrown around for some big time jobs. I would prefer to see Oregon hire someone with previous OC experience, even if he is from a smaller school.

LOL. It sounds like you have plenty to write about... I look forward to reading your articles.