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Oregon Football: Ducks Make Decision On Defensive Coordinator

By Justin Phillips

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Mario Cristobal of the Oregon Ducks works with his players during pre-game warm ups prior to the start of the Redbox Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans at Levi's Stadium on December 31, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Mario Cristobal of the Oregon Ducks works with his players during pre-game warm ups prior to the start of the Redbox Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans at Levi's Stadium on December 31, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Oregon Football will reportedly hire Andy Avalos as their new Defensive Coordinator replacing Jim Leavitt. Avalos was a player and coach at Boise State.

The popularity of coaches with both players and fans should be of no surprise to anyone, but a ripple went through the fanbase of the Broncos on Tuesday. Avalos was a player for Boise State and has been the Broncos Defensive Coordinator for the past three seasons. He has helped turn the Boise State Defense into one of the better Team Defenses in the country.

The team last season finished 10th in sacks and 20th in turnovers. The team took a step forward from 2017 when the Broncos were 22nd in Team Defense for the season.

The addition of Andy Avalos will not change the titles of Co-Defensive Coordinators that Oregon already has on staff in Joe Salve’a and Keith Heyward. Heyward was thought to be the only viable candidate to fill the position left by Leavitt, but with his position remaining intact, Oregon has added another quality coach to the fold.

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Former Defensive Coordinator Jim Leavitt was paid well, close to $2 million a year, but over the last few weeks word came down that his ‘mutual departure’ from the University of Oregon was becoming more and more Imminent. Reportedly Leavitt and Head Coach Mario Cristobal did not see eye to eye with certain aspects of the program. Add to it that both men interviewed for the position last year and Cristobal was hired leaving Leavitt to work in a position where he could hav been Head Coach. Awkward, right?

Andy Avalos is said to be a tireless coach. He works the communication game to his advantage. Everyone on the team is over prepared for their position on the field and they know what they need to do. Discipline is a key word in his vocabulary, which can only help an Oregon team that struggled with penalties two seasons ago.

Oregon Football will play the Spring Game on Saturday, April 20th at 2 pm Pacific Time (Pac-12 Network)

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