Brady Hoke Named Oregon Defensive Coordinator: Latest Contract Details, Reaction

Former Michigan head coach Brady Hoke was named Oregon's new defensive coordinator on Jan. 16, the school announced. 

"We are extremely excited to welcome Coach Hoke to the Oregon family," Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich said, according to the school's press release. "He's passionate, knowledgeable and tough, and has an outstanding track record of success from a defensive standpoint."

Ryan Thorburn of the Register-Guard reported on Wednesday that Hoke received a three-year, $1.8 million deal.

Hoke's four-year stint with the Maize and Blue ended in 2014 after Michigan went 5-7 following three straight winning seasons. 

Before moving to Ann Arbor in 2011, Hoke spent six years as Ball State's head coach before he was hired by San Diego State in the same position. The 57-year-old also has ties to the Pacific Northwest after serving as an assistant coach at Oregon State from 1989 to 1994. 

As Oregon's press release noted, Hoke was renowned for turning around a fledgling Michigan defense. During the 2014 season, the Wolverines ranked 10th with 311 yards allowed per game and a respectable 28th in opponents' scoring (22.4 points per game). 

According to Sporting News' Lisa Horne, Hoke should help an Oregon defense that allowed a 114th-ranked 36.8 points per game in 2015: 

However, Bleacher Report's Bryan Fischer noted the move was a bit strange for one glaring reason: 

While Hoke's lack of experience as a defensive coordinator is concerning to a degree, he shouldn't be hard-pressed to help the Ducks improve at least modestly on that side of the ball. Oregon ranked 116th last season by allowing 480 yards per game—more than 300 of which came through the air.

Hoke won't turn the Ducks defense around instantly, but his time at Michigan suggests Oregon stands to benefit from his presence on the sidelines.