Mike Bellotti Is, and Should Continue to Be, the Face of Oregon Football

Should Mike Bellotti leave Oregon? That seems to be the question on a lot of peoples' minds lately. I have seen both sides in opinion pieces in the papers and online, as well as listened to them on the radio.

A mediocre bowl record of 5-6, the plummet from the rankings in the 2007 season, and this season's performance (or under-performance, depending on where you get the information) have all contributed to the discussion.

In spite of—and maybe even because of—these things, Bellotti should remain at Oregon.

No one questions what Bellotti has achieved at Oregon: a continuation of the rise that started under former coach Rich Brooks, helping produce major improvements to facilities, record attendance, recruiting of strong talent, and a winning record. So why is a possible head coach change even being discussed?

Could it be not finishing in the top 10? No, the Ducks finished No. 2 in the nation in 2001, a year in which many Duck fans still feel that the Ducks should have played for, and could have won, the national title. Not getting to enough bowl games? No, he has done that 11 of his 13 seasons at Oregon. Poor records? No, he has an outstanding win-loss ratio.

A bad current season? Considering that Oregon is playing with their third-string quarterback and that they are carrying a 7-3 record with two games to go, it seems like this shouldn't be part of the problem.

Yet it is. Oregon is, short of a miracle, not going to the Rose Bowl this season. Oregon could not beat USC—again. Oregon fell short against Boise State, a game in which Bellotti admittedly waited too long to make a quarterback change. Oregon has fallen out of the national rankings—again.

These things are true, yet they are not enough to consider Mike Bellotti's departure from the program.

I have heard it said that Bellotti has taken the program as far as he can, and it is time to infuse fresh blood into the coaching position in the hopes of taking the next step. I suppose that an argument could be made that there is room for improvement—a national title, perhaps, or maybe winning every bowl game we attend.

Yet the simple fact remains that the program has been and continues to be successful under Bellotti. Maybe we will see a national title under Bellotti. Or possibly a new coach could push the program to another level. Maybe Oregon could become another USC. Maybe.

And maybe the program could crumble under a new head coach. Most other coaches would probably be unable to maintain the level of success of Bellotti.

The Ducks right now offer a program which is exciting every year in terms of a winning record, bowl attendance, and national rankings. We should be done with the speculation of what might or might not be and enjoy what is—a successful football program under a successful coach.