Oregon ranked at the bottom of the Pac-12 in nearly every defensive statistical category this season. The pounding TCU gave the Ducks while scoring 47 points in the second half of the Valero Alamo Bowl exemplified just how the season had gone under defensive coordinator Don Pellum.
And two days after the epic collapse, head coach Mark Helfrich announced that Pellum will move back to his former position as linebackers coach and that the program will begin pursuit of a new coordinator.
“Don is a great man who has helped shape the culture and growth of Oregon Football in several different capacities for nearly 30 years,” Helfrich said in a release from the University of Oregon athletic department. “He’s committed, as we all are, to being part of the solution to improve the end results on the field.”
The release says a nationwide search for the position will “commence immediately.”
Erik Chinander, who was the Oregon linebackers coach since 2014, will accept a position to become a defensive coordinator at another FBS program, according to the release. Although the school was not disclosed, it has been reported that Chinander is joining Scott Frost at the University of Central Florida.
“I want to thank Coach Chinander for his hard work these past two seasons,” Helfrich said. “This is a natural progression for him as he’s an outstanding young coach.”
More to come.
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