Helfrich officially fired

I think they took a few days to get a candidate lined up who would take the job before firing Helfrich. I thought they would go for Sumlin if he got fired, but looks like he will stick around A&M another year. The scariest RUMOR I have heard is McElwain from Florida. I think he's done a lot for the Florida program in his short time there, and it doesn't appear he's getting a lot of credit. Brian Kelly's reps have been reaching out to potential new schools...I wouldn't be surprised if they've been in talk with the 'ucks. If they hire him, they'll be even easier to hate than with Helfrich.

I hate guessing, but I have a feeling everyone is going to be surprised. They aren't going to get anyone of Urban Meyer's caliber, but that name will get thrown out there because 'uck fans are delusional.They could try to go for a Gary Patterson or Mike Gundy.

The pundits think it'll be Harsin or Fleck, for whatever that's worth.

I'm kind of glad they fired Helfrich, since there aren't a ton of "big name" coaches available. The two biggest would be Les Miles and Art Briles, unless I'm missing someone?


*Edit* - Guess Patterson is out. 

According to O-Live:

"UO representatives reportedly met with Tom Herman last week before he left Houston for Texas on Saturday. Another report from Texas said UO is "kicking the tires" on Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, the former Oakland Raiders, Tennessee and USC coach. A 247 Sports report also indicated that TCU's Gary Patterson was not receptive to UO overtures.



Western Michigan's P.J. Fleck (29-21 in four seasons) and Boise State's Bryan Harsin (38-13 in four seasons, including 2013 at Arkansas State) are reportedly targets of Oregon's. A source told The Oregonian/OregonLive's John Canzano on Saturday evening that Oregon lined up a search firm weeks ago in the event it fired Helfrich. Another source indicated that Fleck has interest in Oregon if a contract with Purdue is not finalized. A report by USA Today this week included Florida coach Jim McElwain and Penn State's James Franklin as higher-profile potential candidates.



Helfrich said he called Mullens on Sunday morning, hours after the Civil War loss, and asked for a meeting about his future, but it was pushed back due to Mullens' travel schedule. Mullens is in his first season serving on the College Football Playoff selection committee, whose duties ended Tuesday afternoon."

No prediction from me, but I am interested in what caliber of coach Oregon THINKS they are going to get, and what type. 

Do they abandon their "identity"? do they bring in somebody with a new system and style? Do they keep it close to home? Does Scott Frost get a call?

Or, crazy conspiracy theory, do they go for the rebuild and new identity? reset fan expectations that were crazy high, get some breathing room from the pressure? Give them a chance to play with new marketing campaigns and display new Nike things?

who knows. Interesting to follow though. 

I hope they hire Kiffin. Perfect D-B coach for a D-B program.

Bellotti reportedly has taken his name out of consideration.

The low class manner in which Helfrich was treated has red flag warning written all over it to any prospective candidates. Just because he got a fat goodbye check doesn't erase the way he got whacked. Now I know why Peterson never wanted the job.