Oregon offensive coordinator Gary Crowton has a new home once again.
Just two years into his stint with the Ducks, Crowton told the Emerald Monday that he’ll accept the same position at Louisiana State University, where he’ll replace Jimbo Fisher, who accepted the same position at Florida State University on Jan. 8.
“I have mixed emotions. I’m very excited about the direction (of LSU) going out there and being a part of their program. They have an outstanding program,” Crowton said from his home in Eugene late Monday night. “At the same time, it’s very hard to leave such a great program here with great people, a great head coach and very good players. I have mixed emotions but am looking forward to the next challenge.”
Crowton, 49, joins an LSU program that defeated Notre Dame 41-14 in the Sugar Bowl this year on Jan. 3 and finished the season with an 11-2 record under second-year head coach Les Miles.
Though they have never coached together, Miles and Crowton became acquainted with each other through the years in the coaching ranks and shortly after taking the reigns of the LSU program two years ago, Miles contacted Crowton about a potential job after Crowton left BYU and before he joined Oregon.
Crowton said he and Miles talked briefly on the phone prior to the BCS National Championship game on Jan. 8 this year and Miles then contacted Oregon coach Mike Bellotti. Crowton officially accepted the position on Monday.
“It all happened so fast,” Crowton said. “It was a very tough decision. The biggest factor was Les Miles. Just our previous relationship has been very good. I’ve just gotten along great with him.”
A 19-year coaching veteran known for engineering prolific spread offenses, Crowton arrived in Eugene in 2005 after spending four years as head coach at Brigham Young University, his alma mater.
He also previously held stints as an offensive coordinator for the NFL’s Chicago Bears from 1999-2000 and as head coach and offensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech from 1995-98.
Returning to the Louisiana area was another factor that attracted Crowton. Though he denied financial reasons, Crowton is also expected to make considerably more at LSU. He made $225,000 this year at Oregon and, according to the Shreveport Times, could make in the range of $450,000, the amount Fisher made at LSU.
Crowton said Bellotti made a “great offer” financially for Crowton to stay when told of Crowton’s interest in the LSU job.
“It wasn’t about the money,” Crowton said. “It was just about the previous experience being in Louisiana, being with coach Miles and there’s just a few factors from a security standpoint with my family.”
Crowton, wife Maren and their seven children are set to travel to Baton Rouge, La. tomorrow, Crowton said.
His tenure at Oregon will be remembered primarily for the offensive success the Ducks achieved under his guidance. Despite the disappointment of a 38-8 loss to BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl last December and a 7-6 record to end the season, Oregon ranked in the top 20 in the nation in rushing offense (14th) and total offense (9th).
The Ducks also ranked among the top 20 in the country in passing, scoring and total offense in 2005 when Oregon finished 10-2 in Crowton’s first season. He was one of six finalists that year for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach.
“I really have a great feeling for Oregon,” Crowton said. “Once you become a Duck, it’s a special thing. I’ll be very fond of the experience.”
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Crowton moves on to LSU job opening
Daily Emerald
January 15, 2007
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