Oregon Suspends Strength and Conditioning Coach After 3 Players Hospitalized

The University of Oregon football program suspended strength and conditioning coach Irele Oderinde without pay for one month after three players were hospitalized while participating in offseason workouts, Jen Beyrle of The Oregonian reported on Tuesday.

Oregon's new head coach, Willie Taggart, also released a statement, via John Canzano of KGW News:

Beyrle added that Jim Radcliffe will be the program's interim strength and conditioning coach while Oderinde serves his suspension. Upon his return, Oderinde will also report to Oregon's director of performance and sports science Andrew Murray instead of Taggart.

In an initial report by Andrew Greif of The Oregonian on Monday, it was revealed that offensive linemen Doug Brenner and Sam Poutasi and tight end Cam McCormick were described to be in "fair condition" after being transported to PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center. 

Poutasi was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, which affects soft tissue and could lead to kidney damage in severe cases.

However, the team continued to perform the same workouts which multiple sources described to Greif as "akin to military basic training."

Ducks cornerback Ugochukwu Amadi, who underwent those workouts, begged to differ:

Oderinde was hired just six days ago on Jan. 11, per Ryan Kostecka of DailyEmerald.com, taking most of the football duties away from Radcliffe, who was slated to continue being a strength and conditioning coach for other Oregon programs. 

Not only is it a rocky introduction for Oderinde, but for Taggart as well, as he is in the infancy of his tenure at Oregon after being hired in December from the University of South Florida.

It's hardly the start he would have wanted as his focus has now been diverted from trying to turn around a program that is coming off a dreadful 4-8 season.