Oregon Football: (Audio) Getting to Know Head Coach Mark Helfrich

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Oregon Football Coach Mark Helfrich spoke on Newsradio 1120 KPNW in Eugene recently with Wake Up Call hosts Bill Lundun and Robb Holloway. He was asked about being the new head coach, if he plans to change the Duck offense at all, and what kind of music he listens to.

"It’s been great so far, fast and furious going through recruiting, the rest is part of the territory. – Helfrich on his new role"

He has been with the Ducks for four years and after watching Chip Kelly as head coach, he said the plan isn’t to mess too much with a good thing when it comes to the Offense and speed of the Ducks.

"It’s Foolish to change up what we’re doing, every year, tweak, fix this or adjust this."

He is also working with Defensive Coordinator Nick Aliotti to make sure the Defensive transition is smooth moving forward. The Ducks lost some key players to graduation, including Kiko Alonso and Michael Clay.

"We’re a 3-4 Defense, an attacking defense and we’ve lost some defense starters, that’s where the Spring game comes in and it’s exciting to see who will fill those roles."

A fast aside away from football. As the new head coach, in his first week he was asked a lot of questions about the job, what he plans to do, etc. But there was one he didn’t see coming.

"First question when I was hired as head coach was what color do I want the wall painted. I’ve never thought of that kind of stuff before."

The 2013 Recruting Class, Helfrich’s first as Head Coach, was a big one. Nineteen athletes signed letters of intent to play for Oregon. Aside from the name that will become a household one by fall in Thomas Tyner, he said it was the process that made him and his assistant coaches excited.

"Were excited about every one, biggest thing about the finish(in recruiting) was how many times we walked out of a high school  or house and said that’s our type of guy."

In hiring some new coaches to replace a few that departed, Helfrich picked Matt Lubick as Wide Receivers Coach, also one of the best recruiters in the country. Ron Aiken, an NFL experienced Defensive Line coach was also added to the Ducks roster.

"“Those kind of guys can really mesh well with anybody.” Helfrich on Lubick and Aiken"

Finally there were a few ‘get to know you’ questions. What kind of music does Oregon’s new head coach listen to?

"Little bit of everything. I’m a big Pandora fan, I’ll just hit some channel everyday and go to work. From Rock, to Rap, to Classical to whatever."

The interview wrapped up with a simple question, and whether you like it black or with cream and sugar, one of his guilty pleasures is one most of us share(in radio anyway).

"Is coffee a guilty pleasure, I drink too much coffee."

If you have a few minutes I suggest you check out the full interview. Mark Helfrich may not be new to Oregon, but his philosophy and lack of wearing a visor is new to us. The full interview is here:

The Ducks This Week:

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Justin Phillips is Sports Reporter for Newsradio 1120 KPNW in Eugene, Oregon