After multiple season of contending for a National Championship, the Oregon Ducks struggled with their worst season since 1991. That lead to the dismissal of head coach Mark Helfrich, which was announced on Wednesday.
This move comes following a 4-8 season, but just two years after the team coming a win shy of the National Title. Helfrich coached the team for four seasons, leading them to the first College Football Playoff game following the 2014 season. This year, they will miss out on a bowl game for the first time since 2004.
With just two conference wins, the Ducks sat at the bottom of the Pac-12 North Division. The team's five-game losing streak helped sink them early on in the season, as they began the year ranked 24th in the AP Polls. Helfrich met with the school officials on Tuesday night, which is when he was informed that he was being fired.
During his tenure with the school, the 43-year-old went 37-16, and also spent time as the team's offensive coordinator under Chip Kelly. His contract does include an $11.6 million buyout.
The team has already begun their hunt for their next coach, who they said needs to "reinvigorate ticket sales." Expected candidates are the likes of Dan Mullen, Larry Fedora, Willie Taggart, Bryan Harsin, P.J. Fleck, and Scott Frost.
This move comes following a 4-8 season, but just two years after the team coming a win shy of the National Title. Helfrich coached the team for four seasons, leading them to the first College Football Playoff game following the 2014 season. This year, they will miss out on a bowl game for the first time since 2004.
With just two conference wins, the Ducks sat at the bottom of the Pac-12 North Division. The team's five-game losing streak helped sink them early on in the season, as they began the year ranked 24th in the AP Polls. Helfrich met with the school officials on Tuesday night, which is when he was informed that he was being fired.
During his tenure with the school, the 43-year-old went 37-16, and also spent time as the team's offensive coordinator under Chip Kelly. His contract does include an $11.6 million buyout.
The team has already begun their hunt for their next coach, who they said needs to "reinvigorate ticket sales." Expected candidates are the likes of Dan Mullen, Larry Fedora, Willie Taggart, Bryan Harsin, P.J. Fleck, and Scott Frost.
