Ducks move to the future with solid staff decisions
In Mark Helfrich, 39, Scott Frost 38, and Matt Lubick, 41, Oregon football has gained an infusion of youth and energy at the core of its leadership. It's already paying dividends with the recent commit of Devon Allen, strong interest by offensive lineman Cameron Hunt, and renewed enthusiasm from verbal commits Thomas Tyner and the Robinson twins.
Helfrich and his staff moved quickly to refocus on recruiting after Kelly's departure, and they should close strong. Lubick has a deserved reputation as a dynamite recruiter and a master of the passing offense and receiving fundamentals, footballscoop.com's receiving coach of the year in 2012. Duke made three bowls while Lubick was there, and last season his wide receivers paced the team, the tandem of Conner Vernon, Jamison Crowder and Desmond Scott combining for 2,686 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Imagine the Oregon offense, already formidable at number two in the country, with that kind of productivity at wideout.
In his previous stops Lubick pulled down recruiting commitments from future stars like Dexter McCluster and Vontaze Burfict. He's a star salesman who relates well to players and is extremely thorough in teaching the fundamentals of the receiver position. He should do wonders with Chance Allen, Dwayne Sanford, Devon Allen, B.J. Kelley, Bralon Addison, Keanon Lowe, Eric Dungey, Daryle Hawkins, Will Murphy, De'Anthony Thomas and Josh Huff.
If Oregon is going to make their recent run of success stick, and reach the next level with a national championship and another batch of PAC-12 crowns, decisive moves like the promotions of Helfrich and Frost and the hiring of Lubick will pave the way. Perhaps the Ducks CAN replace Chip Kelly and keep growing. Phil Knight was the architect of Oregon's rise from mediocrity, and Greatwood, Alliotti, Pellum, Radcliffe, Campbell and Radcliffe were the crack construction crew. This last week they've added some master craftsmen to contribute to a new phase of development.
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Helfrich has really impressed me so far. The guy has some big shoes to fill and to be honest I wasn't sure he had the competitive edge and drive like Chip, boy was I wrong. This guy comes off as a relaxed and honest family man but he has that secret edge a little bit like Chip. There is no doubt you can hear the excitement in his voice when he talks about building the program. We are beginning to see why Chip wanted him appointed after he left. I think Helfrich has had some ideas for a long time and while Chip was coach he wasn't able to really bring them to fruition. It's obvious passing is going to become a huge facet of our offense. The hire of Lubick will prove to be one of the best hires in the country. Devon Allen committed before he even knew Lubick was gonna be WR coach, imagine what that will do for us down the road with other WR recruits. We have a young, passionate, and innovative coaching staff to go along with the culture of our program. Oregon represents innovation and I couldn't think of a better group of coaches to lead us into the next phase. People will murmur that Oregon has lost a step without Chip all offseason but they won't once they realize Helfrich and friends are the real deal. If you thought we had speed before with basically only using our RB's think again! I've been waiting for us to open our passing game for 3 years and it's finally going to happen, prepare yourselves for a dosage of speedsters in the backfield that will open up deep passes over safeties heads Duck fans!
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waiting to see the signing day rsults before commenting,, but gotta agree allsigns are impresive out of the gate,, they are helfrich and his coaches, doing a great job,, hope the signing pay off really pute the cherry on top,, they deserve it. Just wishing, thet the go in person the 'samurai seven' , and pesonally knock on each and every ohio state coomitt recruits house!! now, that would be the coup de grace retort to that scum sucking low life meyer, who you migth have thought in deference to chip would not have come after the duck commits like he and noe else in the nation has!! Chip was freindly and cozy with him,, but the guy has no heart. clearly. Let aside, no class, or nor deference to freinds or freindship, Go steal a few of his guys "Sanurai Seven on the move'!!! God would that not just be the greatedt thing to see,, let alobe send a message to the NAtion!!
@nyduck Urban Meyer is a formidable recruiter, and his interests in Duck recruits like Dontre Wilson is a concern. Ducks have a challenge ahead of them to close strong in recruiting, absolutely, and signs are that they will.
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@mtallia Thanks MT. An improved passing attack, with Mariota at the trigger, could give the Ducks the firepower they need to combat the Stanford/LSU/Auburn blueprint. It opens up things for the running game and keeps linebackers and safeties from crowding the box, especially if they make good use of their strong, athletic tight ends.
