Should Mike Bellotti Stay or Go?

Oregon coach Mike Bellotti is expected to make a decision as to whether he will step down as head coach in the next two weeks.  Many people around the country are speculating about how this decision could affect a team expected to be near the top of the Pacific-10 Conference in 2009.

Immediately following the season, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly was designated as “head coach in waiting” when Bellotti felt the time was right to move to the University’s Athletic Director position.

Bellotti has many reasons to stay but many argue that if he left they would not be surprised. 

Top 25 team:  The Ducks clearly have a talented team returning in 2009.  With the addition of many junior college players who expect to contribute immediately, the sky is the limit for the Ducks.

Is He Ready?  Bellotti showed unusual emotion after the Holiday Bowl victory over Oklahoma State. This began the speculation about moving on and becoming Athletic Director but like Brett Favre, you take some time off and that fire grows inside you to continue.

Pac-10 Dean:  Bellotti is by far the longest tenured coach in the Pacific-10, (2009 will be his 15th season as head coach) and he is currently third on the Pacific-10 all-time wins list with 74 wins.  His teams have also won 47 of the 59 games decided by seven points or less.

Some Duck fans feel as if it is time for Bellotti to hang up the headset.

Kelly’s Time: Both fans and Bellotti are excited for Chip Kelly’s time as head coach.  He has shown a strong ability to recruit as seen by Oregon being in the running for some of the most highly touted recruits in the country, and he has one of the most creative offensive minds in the game. 

If you have doubts, look at Oregon’s staggering offensive numbers since the beginning of his tenure.

Late Season Letdowns:  Bellotti somewhat put these critics to rest after finishing the season on a four game win streak in 2008.  The previous two years, Oregon would always start quick but struggle to finish leading many to believe Bellotti was working the players too hard early in the season.

Daft Reasoning:  Some fans just don’t like Bellotti or the decisions he makes.  Some say he is too loyal to beleaguered defensive coordinator Nick Alliotti or that he is holding on too tight and has lost the touch in late game situations. 

Bellotti is generally calm and collected, something that bothers hardcore fans, but it is one of Bellotti’s best traits (see record in games decided by a touchdown or less).

Prediction: In my opinion, Bellotti will coach in 2009 and step down after the season.  The timing is right with the basketball arena for current Athletic Director Pat Kilkenny, who was brought in to get the arena built, to step away and let Mike Bellotti take over.  I just do not see Bellotti stepping away with such a talented team coming back.

Fans are sometimes delusional and are unaware of how lucky they are to have what they do.  Bellotti helped to pull this program out of the depths in the 1980 and ‘90’s but people quickly forget those days once the expectations become so high. 

Remember, there is no guarantee that Chip Kelly will have as great a success as Bellotti has.  Fans should appreciate Bellotti’s contributions and forever remember him for resurrecting the Oregon Football program.