Apparently Gary Crowton was only looking for an associate degree from Bellotti U.
Now that the department is going to be looking for a new offensive coordinator I have a message for Mike Bellotti.
Coach Bellotti, please consider this my formal application for the job of Oregon Ducks Offensive Coordinator. I feel that you will find I am uniquely qualified to fill this position. I have a creative mind with ideas that can help take your team to the high level that is expected of your Ducks.
I have worked for the campus radio station, 88.1 FM KWVA Eugene, covering the team for the last three years. I would guess that I’ve spoken positively about the team for at least 60 percent of that time. (That is your winning percentage over the same period.) My experience expands past watching the game. I’ve heard most of your postgame press conferences so I feel I can confidently toe the party line. I know this team and I feel I have the best possible scheme for your offense.
You ended last season with two solid number two quarterbacks, two number one running backs, and (after graduation) two wide receivers who drop the ball less than half the time.
If you hire me I would help you put all of those players on the field at the same time. Brian Paysinger and Jaison Williams would do the catching, the two running backs Jonathan Stewart and Jeremiah Johnson, and Dennis Dixon and Brady Leaf as the two- headed quarterback.
Call me crazy, but the legs of Stewart, Johnson and Dixon are the most dangerous weapons your offense can employ. Why not have them all on the field at the same time? I know you have heard people tell you to put both Johnson and Stewart in the backfield together. I say take it one step further.
When Leaf and Dixon are playing their best they can keep a defense honest. With both passers in the game, a defense will have even more options to pay attention to. Two throwers and two great running backs will allow you take my new offense to the next level.
When we are talking about putting Dixon and Leaf in the game at the same time, let me direct you to the evolution of Ernie Kent’s senior guard Aaron Brooks. Brooks finally has somebody (Tajuan Porter) who can allow him to play off the ball and take some pressure off of him. Brooks has led the team to a No. 7 ranking, wins over two top-ten teams and the best men’s team since the Elite-8 team of 2002.
I think you give Dixon that same wingman in Leaf. Imagine all the new play calling possibilities. Not only will that relieve pressure for Dixon and Leaf, but Stewart and Johnson too. Football people will ask who blocks on blitzes? With the speed you would have in the backfield teams will never be able to commit that many players for fear of getting beat in the flanks.
I’m not saying you have to go away from the spread, but you should incorporate it with my formation. You find me a defensive coordinator in the nation that sleeps the week his team plays yours.
I could see how hiring me would draw tons of criticism. I never played football and I’m not even the most qualified media member to fill the job. I still think it is a worthy gamble. The fan base is looking for something new. Go with someone with ideas that match the team’s ever-evolving uniforms.
Coach Bellotti, thank you for your time and consideration of my application for the position. I feel you will find I am well-suited to fill it. I look forward to hearing from you in the next step of the hiring process.
P.S. If you need references my mom and ad will tell you whatever you want to hear if it means I have a job after I graduate in June.
Erick E. Olson is 88.1 FM KWVA’s News/Sports Director.
He co-hosts Quack Smack every
Monday at 7 p.m.
E-mail him at [email protected]