Mario Cristobal Replaces Willie Taggart as Oregon HC

The Oregon Ducks have hired co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Mario Cristobal as their new head coach following Willie Taggart's decision to bolt for the Florida State Seminoles. Oregon announced the news on Friday: 

Cristobal's appointment comes after the Ducks named him their interim head coach for the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 16 against the Boise State Broncos. 

The move also followed an announcement by left tackle Tyrell Crosby that more than 70 Ducks players signed a petition to bring Cristobal aboard full-time. 

Thanks to that effort, the 47-year-old will now return to the helm of a program for the first time since his stay at Florida International ended in 2012. 

Cristobal led FIU to a 27-47 record during his six-year tenure, including a 7-6 finish in 2010 and an 8-5 effort the following season. 

The 2010 Sun Belt Coach of the Year proceeded to latch onto Nick Saban's staff and was appointed as the Alabama Crimson Tide's offensive line coach in 2013. 

Cristobal held down that post through 2016, but he flocked to Oregon when Taggart pitched him on a new gig in the Pacific Northwest. 

Now taking over for Taggart, Cristobal will head up a Ducks team that improved to 7-5 in 2017 following a dreadful 4-8 campaign under Mark Helfrich in 2016.