LinkedUp: Oregon Football Practice Begins, Pac 12 Coaching Carousel Begins, Track and Field Rolling

Jan, 26, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks new head football coach Mark Helfrich attends the basketball game against the Washington Huskies at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

The calendar has switched to April, which means lighter days, warmer weather, and the return of football. Also this month the NFL Draft. Oregon sports teams are on a roll as the month begins, including Oregon Baseball and Oregon Softball. Spring Practice is underway for the Oregon Football team, so let’s get to this week’s edition of LinkedUp.

April Means Oregon Football Returns to the Mo

April has arrived, and with it comes the return of College Football, including Spring Practice for the Oregon Ducks which starts today. We’ll have coverage of Day 1 in the afternoon update. Don’t forget to check out the Spring schedule for the Ducks. It was announced yesterday that workouts will be closed to the public, at least for now. A quick look around the Oregon landscape give me the opportunity to share a few things. In the Register Guard Notebook, Rob Moseley takes a look at a few things, including the awarding of some new scholarships and why Head Coach Mark Helfrich is keeping Spring Practice Closed.

Yahoo! Sports is taking a look at Athletes heading for the NFL Dream, and  included in that group is former Oregon Defensive Player Dion Jordan. He is the first profiled in the Yahoo! Sports Dream Chaser Series. 

Pac 12 Head of Officials ‘Jokes’ About Giving a Technical, Which Happens, and the Pac 12 Falls For It 

Making the transition to basketball, there is a bit of controversy in the Pac 12 with the refs(I know, what a surprise), but if the lead official told you he would ‘reward’ you for giving a technical foul to a coach, would you do it knowing you’d be siiting in Maui sipping a Mai Tai? Ed Rush(the head Pac 12 Officials) is in hot water this week after ‘joking’ around before the Pac 12 Tournament game with UCLA and Arizona. Arizona Head Coach Sean Miller was called on a techincal foul toward the end of the game, UCLA won 66-64. The Pac 12 has determined that Rush was not serious in his comments. That however won’t change the outcome of the game.I’m looking forward to seeing him at Matthew Knight Arena for an Oregon game next season.

Pac 12 Coaching Landscape is Shifting

Mar 15, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; New Mexico Lobos head coach Steve Alford calls out in second half against the San Diego State Aztecs during the semifinals of the Mountain West tournament at the Thomas

After firing Ben Howland for getting the team to four Final Four’s during his tenure last month, the Bruins have found a new head coach in New Mexico’s Steve Alford, who about two weeks ago signed a 10 year extension with the Lobos.  In an interesting move, Sweet 16 participant Florida Gulf Coast will be looking for a new coach as USC seems to have made a ‘Flavor of the Day’ hire in Eagles head coach Andy Enfield. Looks like Dunk City will move Westward and be a part of the Pac 12.

Five Star College Basketball Recruit Aaron Gordon Made His College Choice Today….Arizona

Five star recruit Aaron Gordon, who if he came to Oregon could have made the Ducks an immediate title contender in coming seasons had decided to take his talents to Arizona. Oregon is expected to bring in seven scholarship players next season. One can hope the NCAA run this season allowed some potential recruits to see what Oregon Basketball is about.

Oregon Track and Field Runs Into April 

The Oregonian has a look at Track and Field and Heptathalete Brianne Theisen, who has a busy summer ahead of her. In the latest USTFCCA poll, the Oregon men are up to 4th, the Women are ranked 2nd this week. That puts a wrap on the LinkedUp for the Week.

Oregon Ducks This Week:

ESPN Sports Science Works Out Former Oregon Duck Dion Jordan

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