Oregon Football: Jim Leavitt Out As Defensive Coordinator
Oregon Football will move forward without Defensive Coordinator Jim Leavitt.
According to 247Sports, Leavitt has been relieved of his position with the Oregon Ducks. Current players voiced their opinions on Twitter, including the top recruit in the Nation who signed with Oregon, Kayvon Thibodeaux. So far, players seem to understand and have not made the decision to leave the program.
Of course, the timing of the University of Oregon’s decision to part ways with Leavitt comes just a few weeks after National Signing Day and a fairly new NCAA Transfer Portal now available for student-athletes. (you don’t have to go far to see how the Portal works – fans of Oregon Softball watched this offseason as 10 players departed the program)
The transfer portal hasn’t even crossed my universe . Stop askin’
— Kayvon Thibodeaux (@kayvont) February 14, 2019
The reason for Leavitt’s departure is not known at this time, but Head Coach Mario Cristobal has been busy over the last few weeks filling several holes in his staff with some offseason departures. Linebackers Coach Cort Dennison departed for Louisville and he was replaced by Washington State Linebackers Coach Ken Wilson. According to 247Sports, the Ducks are looking t add another assistant for Linebackers.
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Wide Receiver Coach Michael Johnson left Oregon in January and Cristobal is expected to bring on Jovon Bouknight as the new position coach in the near future. Bouknight is currently an assistant at Texas Tech.
With the departure of Jim Leavitt, the Oregon Ducks are expected to promote from within to fill the position. According to the report, Keith Hayward is expected to be named the new Defensive Coordinator for Oregon Football.
Jim Leavitt was hired two seasons ago by Willie Taggart. In his two seasons with the team, there was a marked improvement in several key positions including Safety with Ugochukwu Amadi and the play along the line with Troy Dye and Jalen Jelks.
The 2019 Oregon Football team will begin Spring Practice within the next month in anticipation of the Spring Game set for April 20th. (2 pm PT, Pac-12 Network)