Oregon Football: Ducks Hire Jim Mastro As Running Backs Coach

The Oregon Ducks hired a familiar name in the Pac-12 in Jim Mastro out of Washington State.

Oregon Football and Mario Cristobal are putting the finishing touches on their coaching staff. On Sunday, the Ducks announced the hiring of Running Backs Coach Jim Mastro. The former Washington State Coach brings with him six seasons of experience with the Cougars. Under Head Coach Mike Leach, WSU has always been a passing primary team, but the Run Game in College Football is still important.

The Washington State Backfield combined for over 1000 yards on the ground and through the air in 2017, for the second straight season. Mastro also worked at UCLA in the Pac-12. He made his bread and butter with Nevada before entering the Pac-12. Between 2008-2010 he had the Wolfpack ranked in the Top 3 Nationally on the ground. A Nevada Running Back led in the Western Athletic Conference five times. Nine put together 1000 yard seasons.

Despite losing All-time Leading Rusher Royce Freeman and Kani Benoit to graduation, the Oregon Ducks are still solid at Running Back for next season. Tony Brooks-James will lead an ample group on the field. Of course, having an Assistant Coach with a track record will also help with recruiting. National Signing Day is just a few weeks away.

Jim Mastro is the third coach to leave Washington State for Oregon over the last three seasons. It all started with David Yost three seasons ago to help Mark Helfrich on Offense. Yost is with Utah State as Offensive Coordinator.

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Mastro replaces Donte Pimpleton who helped lead the Oregon Running Game under Willie Taggart this season.