The Oregon Ducks have not fired a Head Coach in a long time, choosing to promote from within for the better part of three decades.
In this 2 Part series we take a look at the State of the Ducks football team.
The clamor around Duck’s head coach Mark Helfrich continues to grow. It seems that each new day brings another hint that all is not right within the program. Be it players publicly calling out their teammates or former alums and prominent media members questioning Helfrich’s coaching acumen. In response to the noise Athletic Director Rob Mullens appeared on a University run radio program to field a few softball questions. He was diplomatic in addressing fan’s concerns and offered up his support, though somewhat ambiguously, for the current coaching staff. However others within the Athletic Department and some outside of it have taken a more defensive stance. Preferring to dismiss concerns and accuse fans of being spoiled and lacking perspective.
"But if we want to hold up Mark Helfrich’s achievements as reason why he deserves more time, it’s only fair that we look at all of his achievements."
The most ardent supporters of Helfrich reason that it would be stupid and short sighted to fire a head coach after one bad season (I agree). They argue that Helfrich deserves a chance to turn it around. Especially when you consider he coached the team to their most successful and accomplished season ever. Under Helfrich, the Ducks recorded their greatest victory, beating reigning champ Florida State by about 1 billion points. Under Helfrich the Ducks made it into the inaugural CFB playoffs, won the Rose Bowl and played in the Championship game. Under Helfrich, Marcus Mariota (who Helfrich recruited) won the Heisman Trophy. Oregon’s first Heisman Trophy winner.
All of that is undeniably true. And Helfrich does deserve a great deal of credit for those accomplishments. But if we want to hold up Mark Helfrich’s achievements as reason why he deserves more time, it’s only fair that we look at all of his achievements.
State of the Ducks: List of Accomplishments
In 2014 Helfrich promoted line backers coach Don Pellum to Defensive Coordinator.
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Helfrich chose not to fire Pellum but to demote him back to his old position
Helfrich hired former Michigan coach Brady Hoke as Defensive Coordinator, despite Hoke having no experience calling defensive plays.
"What’s so troubling about the “one bad year” argument is that all of the problems we are seeing with this current Ducks team, during their one bad year, were there last year. The problems were just masked by Vernon Adams remarkable play."
With the 2nd half of the season still to come, it’s entirely possible that Helfrich’s list of achievements will continue to grow. There’s a very real chance that the Ducks will go winless in conference play for the first time since 1974 and fail to reach a bowl game for the first time since 2004.
Should One Bad Season Unravel It?
It is, of course, not fair to judge a coach on the accomplishments of one bad season. Those calling for patience are quick to fall back on the one bad season argument. They say, “really, all this is is just one bad year and every team has a bad year here and there.”
What’s so troubling about the “one bad year” argument is that all of the problems we are seeing with this current Ducks team, during their one bad year, were there last year. The problems were just masked by Vernon Adams’ remarkable play (truly not appreciated enough by Duck fans).
“The Ducks were a broken finger away from 11-2,” the apologists like to crow. But if we are playing the “what if” game it’s only fair that we look at the other side of the coin. What if Vernon Adams’ injury kept him out longer? What if he never passed that much discussed math class? What if he never came to the program in the first place? How would the Ducks have fared then? Vernon Adams single handedly elevated what was in reality a 3 or 4 win team. If that’s not an indictment of the coaches, well then…
In many respects this is the 2nd down year in a row. The 2nd year with one of the worst defenses in the country (actually the very worst). The 2nd year in which there was no quarterback developed and ready to play. The 2nd year where the Ducks have suffered multiple embarrassing losses. The 2nd year in which the Ducks have seen their records fall. All of which, falls squarely on the shoulders of the head coach.
Next: State Of The Ducks, Part I: Let's Talk Perspective
Even while accounting for the 2014 season it’s hard to look at Helfrich’s record and his list of accomplishments and think that what we are seeing play out is just a down year. Instead it seems more likely that what we are seeing is a down trend of embarrassing defense, sloppy all around play, lack of player development and discipline. And of course questionable coaching decisions. And right now there’s nothing to say the trend won’t continue.