Helfrich Continues Ducks Offensive Coordinator Tradition

Since Mike Bellotti took over the head coaching position at Oregon in 1995, the Ducks have employed 7 different offensive coordinators.  All of these former or current Duck coordinators continue to coach at the collegiate or professional levels.  These coaches have used the University of Oregon to provide opportunities to build their resumes and become recognized coaching commodities. Mark Helfrich, the Ducks offensive coordinator since 2009 will most likely not be coaching in Eugene within the next five years.  He will be a head coach, offensive coordinator, or quarterbacks coach at a level equal to or above that of Oregon’s prestige. Oregon has not retained an offensive coordinator for more then a five year tenure since Bellotti ran the Duck’s offense from 1989 until 1994.  With the growing national recognition of the Oregon football program, Helfrich’s name will be recognized in coaching searches in the near future.

Mike Bellotti (1989-1994) – The departure of Rich Brooks following a Pac-10 title in 1994 opened the door for the promotion of Bellotti to head coach in 1995.  Bellotti helped quarterbacks Bill Musgrave, and Danny O’Neill become elite Pac-10 players. Bellotti was the head coach at Oregon from 1995 until 2008.

Al Borges (1995) – Borges led the Oregon offense and Tony Graziani to the 1996 Cotton Bowl and continued to build the repuation of the Oregon football program. Since leaving Eugene, Borges has been the offensive coordinator at UCLA, California, Indiana, Auburn, and is presently coaching the offense at San Diego State.

Dirk Koetter (1996-1997) – Using a blend of quarterbacks such as Graziani, and Jason Maas, Koetter ran the efficient Oregon offense for two years.  The head coach at Boise State from 1998 until 2000, Koetter left for the same position at Arizona State until being fired in 2006.  Presently the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jeff Tedford (1998-2001) – Known for developing college quarterbacks, Tedford built Akili Smith, A.J. Feeley and Joey Harrington into quality NFL prospects.  Led the Oregon offense to a victory overColorado in the 2001 Fiesta Bowl. The head coach at California since 2002.

Andy Ludwig (2002-2004) – Ludwig was a mixed-bag in the eyes of Oregon fans during his coaching tenure in Eugene.  Ludwig fell victim to a fan base looking for unpredictability in the Duck offense.  The offensive coordinator at Utah from 2005 until 2008, before being hired by Tedford to run the offense at California in 2009.

Gary Crowton (2005-2006) – Hired by Bellotti to open up and spread out the Oregon offense, Crowton should recieve recognition for the innovation of the program you see today.  Crowton coached Kellen Clemens in 2005 and Dennis Dixon in 2006.  Currently the offensive coordinator at LSU since being let go by Oregon in 2006.

Chip Kelly (2007-2008) – Developed Dixon and Jeremiah Masoli into talented Pac-10 quarterbacks even with an emphasis on the running game. Victories in the Holiday and Sun Bowls led to Kelly taking over for Bellotti in 2009.

Mark Helfrich (2009-present) – Helfrich left Colorado in 2009 to coach the explosive Oregon offense in his native state.  With the help of Kelly, the Oregon offense led the conference in scoring on the way to a Pac-10 title. If the offense continues to succeed look for Helfrich to be a hot coaching candidate in the near future.