On the Unafraid Show, Will Stein reveals what he wants in his new quarterback

Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein joined Pro Duck George Wrighster on "The Unafraid Show" this week, and the third-year Oregon coach offered insights into the vision and the design of the Duck offense for 2025, breaking in a new quarterback in Dante Moore.

In his first two seasons he sent veteran quarterbacks to New York as Heisman Finalists, but this year he turns to a pair of redshirt sophomores with limited success in the college game in Moore and presumed backup Austin Novosad.

With Dillon Gabriel and his 63 career college starts, the process was easy. "We were like Wi-Fi," Stein said.

"You've got to be in unison, you've got to be in synch," Stein said, indicating that one of the first challenges of August camp will be to establish rapport and understanding with his young quarterbacks, to get them to see the defense unfolding in real time the way they break it down in the film room.

Stein strives to bring a fresh mindset and a future-forward approach to a new campaign. "We always start over," he said. "When we were done with the season, it's about, 'how do we get better? How do we improve?"

The Ducks struggled to find rhythm and consistency in their early games last year, looking vulnerable in unexpectedly-close wins over Idaho and Boise State before breaking loose for 546 yards in a 49-14 victory over Oregon State in Game 3.

Nationally, the perception of the Ducks is warped a bit by the way the season ended, a beatdown in the Rose Bowl that resulted in a quick exit from the playoffs, a 41-21 pasting where the Ducks didn't make a first down until the Buckeyes had jumped out to a 14-0 lead, didn't find the end zone until the trailed 34-0 in the second quarter.

Stein faced that head-on in the interview. "Obviously we had a great season, but it didn't end the way we wanted it. So we're going back and just looking at the tape, let the tape tell us who we are as a team, who we are as an offense," Stein said.

"The entire month of February, we've basically been doing self-scout, reevaluating our own calls, our own schemes. techniques, fundamentals, and then installing it back to the players just from day one."

The players have to dictate the system, Wrighster suggested. "Totally. It molds each year," Stein said, changing with the strengths of the team, particularly at quarterback and offensive line.

In spite of all their experience, Nix and Gabriel were always looking to grow, seeking perfection. "They asked me as many questions as a true freshman. They made me a better coach," Stein said.

Wrighster asked him what he was looking for in choosing a new starter. "I think it boils down for me to having command of the offense. Being able for me to call a play into their ear and for them to call it right in the huddle, for them to get to the line of scrimmage with enough time to potentially change the protection, change the run scheme, being able to read the defense and go to the correct place with the ball."

Leadership, decision-making and execution, in other words. "I know that's all cliche," Stein admitted. The flashy plays and deep balls come out of an understanding of the scheme, recognizing reads and opportunities.

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