Oregon and Virginia announced Monday that the football programs will play a home and home series starting next season, reports ESPN.com.
When the Ducks visit Charlottesville on Sept. 7, it will be the school’s first ever meeting. The Cavaliers will make a trip out west in 2016.
Virginia was originally supposed to play a road game at Penn State next season.
“We initiated a conversation with Oregon about a potential game in 2017 in Europe,” Virginia executive associate athletics director Jon Oliver said in a statement. “As the conversation progressed, it became clear we might have an opportunity to initiate a series in 2013 starting in Charlottesville. We saw that as a great opportunity for our program and our fans.”
“We want our players to be able to compete against great teams,” Virginia coach Mike London said. “Bringing BYU and Oregon to Scott Stadium to start the season will be a tremendous challenge, but one our team is preparing for now and is very excited.”
Oregon is coming off a 12-1 season and their four straight appearance in a BCS Bowl. Virginia finished 4-8.
Stanford OC Pep Hamilton reportedly interviewed for the Oregon head coaching job. (Nick Ut/AP Images)
A source told CBSSports.com that Stanford offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton interviewed for the vacant coaching job for the Oregon Ducks on Friday. Former head coach Chip Kelly departed from the school for the Philadelphia Eagles head coaching job earlier this week.
Hamilton played a key role in developing Stanford’s offense this season, especially after losing four players to the NFL draft. Hamilton developed red shirt freshman Kevin Hogan after Andrew Luck moved on to the NFL. The 38-year-old OC also helped lead Stanford to its first Rose Bowl victory in 40 years.
Prior to joining the Stanford coaching staff in 2010, Hamilton worked on the coaching staff for the Chicago Bears (2007-2009), the San Francisco 49ers (2006) and the New York Jets (2003-2005).
Bachelor’s degree required. Minimum 5 years’ successful collegiate/professional coaching experience. Excellent written, interpersonal and oral communication skills required. Knowledge of NCAA rules and interpretations required. The successful candidate must have the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff and students from a variety of diverse backgrounds and a demonstrated dedication to the full academic and social development of student-athletes. Preference will be given to candidates who effectively communicate a plan of action for program improvement, have been affiliated with highly successful elite program(s), have demonstrated knowledge and implementation of offensive and/or defensive strategies, have demonstrated understanding of the University of Oregon Football program and can highlight consistent and significant skill development of student-athletes both individually and collectively.
The post does not reveal a salary range.
USA TODAYreported earlier this month that offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich would be in line to replace Kelly if he left.
Chip Kelly has left Oregon to coach the Philadelphia Eagles. (Greg Wahl/AP)
The Philadelphia Eagles have announced they will hire Oregon’s Chip Kelly as their new head coach. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen first reported the news on Twitter.
Kelly was believed to be staying with Oregon after interviewing for multiple NFL positions earlier in the offseason. Kelly had interviewed with the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills and the Eagles. Last offseason, Kelly nearly became the coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, backing out at the last minute to stay with the Ducks.
On Jan. 7, the Associated Press and other outlets reported that Kelly had turned down the Eagles after Philadelphia had pushed for the offensive innovator.
The biggest test for Kelly will be adapting his high-tempo offense to the NFL game. The New England Patriots have started using some of Kelly’s methods for quickening the pace, as detailed by the Boston Globe‘s Greg Bedard in October.
Steve Spurrier, another former college offensive guru, struggled during his tenure with the Washington Redskins. But New England’s success makes some believe Kelly has a better chance of lasting in the NFL.
Kelly will need to decide what to do at the quarterback position. Michael Vick struggled this season, completing only 58 percent of his passes and throwing 10 interceptions. He also fumbled 11 times in 10 games. The Eagles could release him this offseason with a relatively small penalty.
Rookie Nick Foles started six games, throwing six touchdowns to five interceptions and showing some promise. It’s unclear whether he would fit well in Kelly’s offense. The Eagles, who pick fourth in the 2013 NFL Draft, could also try to grab someone like West Virginia’s Geno Smith.
For Oregon, one of college football’s most successful programs in recent years, the loss of Kelly three weeks before Signing Day could be a big hit. USA TODAYreported earlier this month that offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich would be in line to replace Kelly if he left. Kelly was 46-7 in his four seasons with Oregon.
Check out the below video from 2010 for an inside look at Chip Kelly’s coaching philosophy.
Chip Kelly is staying at Oregon. (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Chip Kelly is staying at Oregon, a source confirmed to SI.com Sunday night. The Ducks coach will return for a fifth season at the university, bypassing potential opportunities with the NFL.
Kelly had lengthy interviews this weekend with both the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns, but he will not take either job.
Reports on Friday suggested that Kelly and the Browns were closing in on a deal. On Saturday, Kelly had a lengthy interview with the Eagles in their search to replace longtime coach Andy Reid and reportedly leaned toward that job. And he also met this weekend with the Buffalo Bills about the coaching job that eventually went to Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone.
But on Sunday, the Browns moved on from Kelly in their coaching search after he reportedly expressed doubts about jumping from college to the NFL. In waiting for Kelly, the Browns missed out on the opportunity to hire Marrone, who was reportedly high on their list of candidates.
Kelly and Oregon just wrapped up a 12-1 season that ended with a 35-17 romp over Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl. He has led the Ducks to BCS bowl berths in each of his four seasons as coach, compiling a 46-7 record in that span.
Kelly’s dance with the NFL this offseason mirrors his situation last year, when he flirted with the possibility of taking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ job before backing off late in negotiations. Kelly still has five years remaining on his contract with Oregon, where he earned a base salary of $2.8 million last season.
After Kelly’s decision, the Browns and Eagles will move on in their respective searches. The Eagles’ list includes Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians and Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. While they were waiting on Kelly, the Browns also interviewed former Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt and Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton, both of whom would still be options.
Chip Kelly’s 35-17 Fiesta Bowl victory over Kansas State might be his last win with the Ducks (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
On Monday, the Cleveland Browns fired head coach Pat Shurmur. Then on Thursday, Chip Kelly coached the Oregon Ducks to a 35-17 victory over Kansas State. Now on Friday there are reports that Kelly is “very close” to a deal with the Cleveland Browns.
Kelly said after the Fiesta Bowl that he hopes to have the interviewing process “wrapped up quickly.” Less than one day later is much quicker than most would expect.
NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport first reported that the Browns and Kelly were close to a deal to make him head coach.
BREAKING: Chip Kelly is close to a deal to become the #Browns coach, according to a source informed of his situation.
Chip Kelly is scheduled to interview with at least three NFL teams. (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
The University of Oregon is prepared to promote offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich if head coach Chip Kelly takes an NFL job, according to a person with direct knowledge of the school’s plans in a report by USA Today.
Helfrich, an Oregon native who played at Southern Oregon University and a Ducks graduate assistant in 1997, is believed to offer the Ducks the smoothest transition in the event Kelly leaves the program. Helfrich has had a hand in creating the Ducks’ offensive game plans and has worked extensively with the program’s quarterbacks. He was offensive coordinator at Boise State, and also coached at Arizona State and Colorado before joining the Oregon staff three years ago.
Kelly has been linked to wish lists of several NFL teams and is scheduled to interview with the Bills, Browns and Eagles. In the meantime, Kelly is helping to prepare the Ducks for Thursday night’s Fiesta Bowl match-up with Kansas State.
A 45-7 record at Oregon, four consecutive BCS bowl game appearances and Kelly’s innovative offensive playbook have made him a target for NFL teams looking to jump-start their offenses. The Buccaneers flirted with hiring Kelly prior to giving the job to Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano prior to the 2012 season.
Oregon head coach Chip Kelly could be a favorite to replace Andy Reid as the Eagles head coach. (Craig Mitchelldyer/Getty Images)
If, as expected, the Philadelphia Eagles let go of head coach Andy Reid at the end of the season, they are expected to make a hard push to land Oregon head coach Chip Kelly to replace Reid.
The NCAA investigated Oregon after questions about a 2010 payment of $25,000 to Willie Lyles and his Houston-based recruiting service. Lyles was involved with a player from Texas who committed to Oregon.
Kelly flirted with the possibility of becoming the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach after last season, but he ultimately backed out after almost agreeing to a deal, saying he had “unfinished business to complete” at Oregon. The Ducks will finish out their season Jan. 3 in the Fiesta Bowl against Kansas State.
The 49-year-old Kelly is considered one of the brightest offensive minds in college football. In four seasons as Oregon’s head coach, he has a record of 45-7. He has led the Ducks to four consecutive BCS bowl games, including the 2010 BCS National Championship game.
Kazemi should bolster Oregon’s ability to compete with Pac-12 favorites Arizona and UCLA, and receive an NCAA tournament bid. He averaged 12.1 points and 10.3 rebounds per game last season.
Avery Patterson will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL (Otto Gruele Jr, Getty Images)
Things just got a little tougher for the #2 college football team in the country.
The Portland Oregonian reports that Oregon Ducks safety Avery Patterson will play not further part this season due to a torn ACL. Patterson injured his knee in the second quarters of the Ducks’ 59-17 win over Cal on Saturday. The loss is yet another big one for Oregon’s defense – the team has already been playing this year without safety John Boyett after the defensive leader underwent season-ending surgery in September, and there have been numerous other injuries throughout the defensive lineup.
Patterson has three interceptions this year, two of which were returned for touchdowns. He has 44 tackles on the year, good for fourth on the squad.
The Oregon Ducks suspended starting defensive tackle Isaac Remington indefinitely on Friday. The Ducks are off this week. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
The Oregon Ducks suspended starting defensive tackle Isaac Remington, after ”pending clarification of an incident that occurred Friday morning in Eugene,” reports the Oregonian.
Reports say Remington was taken into custody, but not jailed, on suspicion of driving under the influence at 12:30 a.m. near campus.
The second-ranked Ducks are off this week and play their next game on the road against Arizona State next Thursday.
Remington is backed up by true freshman Arik Armstead. The 6’4, 300-pound Remington has 12 tackles on the year, with a sack, four tackles for loss and a pair of quarterback hurries.
Aaron and Andrew Harrison, top-five twin guards from Texas, may choose to play at Maryland rather than Kentucky thanks to an Under Armour deal, reports Big Lead Sports’ Jason McIntyre. Aaron, a 6′ 5″ shooting guard, is ranked third in the country, and his brother Andrew, a 6′ 5″ point guard is fourth. According to McIntyre, “every college basketball coach in the country wants the Harrison twins.”
Both play for the Houston Defenders, an AAU team sponsored by Under Armour, and USA Today’s Eric Prisbell tweeted the following about the recruiting situation:
Harrison Sr. told me college coaches not allowed to call his sons directly. Only person allowed to call them: One Under Armour official.— Eric Prisbell (@EricPrisbell) October 02, 2012
By all accounts, Duke and Kentucky are in the mix, but Maryland might be the favorite. Maryland, of course, is a school that wears jerseys courtesy of Under Armour. Guess where UA is headquartered? A three-pointer away from the Terps’ College Park campus in Baltimore.
The competition between Under Armour and Nike extends far back to when Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank would send a Christmas card to Nike founder Phil Knight that said, “You will hear about us one day.” And during a game between Under Armour school Utah and Oregon (also Knight’s alma mater), the two had the following exchange, according to Forbes:
“Sorry about the weather,” Knight said.
“We’ll be ready because we’re Under Armour,” Plank replied.
Knight then started to walk away when Plank asked, “Want to make a bet on the game?”
Plank says Knight turned and smiled and then said, “I think we already have.” (Knight remembers the exchange the same way.)
The twins are expected to announce their decision on ESPNU on Thursday.
Oregon recruit Thomas Tyner (seen here with Oregon head coach Chip Kelly) ran for 644 yards and 10 touchdowns in a high school football game Friday night. (Craig Mitchelldyer/Getty Images)
An Oregon running back ran for a state record 644 yards and scored 10 touchdowns on Friday night.
Aloha High School back Thomas Tyner also put up the third-highest single game total in National High School history. Tyner, a University of Oregon recruit, carried the ball 38 times in Aloha’s 84-63 win over Lakeridge. Friday was also Tyner’s 18th birthday. The previous record in Oregon was 508 yards set by West Albany’s Jake LaCoste last season.
“The beginning of the game I saw in the guys eyes. We were ready to play,” Tyner told the Oregonian. “They opened up the holes, I would’ve never done it without them.”
Tyner scored on runs of 20, 41, 62, 60 and 65 yards in the first half.
He credited his offensive line calling it the “best in the state.”
The national high school record for rushing yards in a game is 754 by John Giannantonio of Netcong, N.J. That record was set in 1950. According to the National High School Sports Record Book, Paul McCoy of Matewan, W.Va., ran for 661 yards in 2006.
Oregon sophomore quarterback Bryan Bennett, who was beaten out by redshirt freshman Marcus Mariota for the Ducks’ starting QB job, may be leaving Eugene, a source tells Rob Moseley of the Eugene Register-Guard.
A former player told Moseley on Tuesday morning that a “key” player had decided to transfer, and later in the day the source confirmed that it was Bennett. However, 45 minutes after a practice in which he did not participate, Bennett was asked by Moseley if he were still on the team; he said he was on his way to discuss that with coach Chip Kelly.
As Darron Thomas’ backup in 2011, Bennett, an Encino, Calif., native, played in eight games, throwing for 369 yards and six touchdowns while adding 200 yards on the ground.
If he follows through and transfers, the only other scholarship QBs on the roster would be true freshmen Jake Rodrigues and Jeff Lockie.
Redshirt freshman Marcus Mariota has won a competition with sophomore Bryan Bennett and will start at quarterback for national title contender Oregon, reports The Oregonian‘s Aaron Fentress.
Mariota and Bennett have competed since January when two-year starter Darren Thomas surprisingly chose to enter the NFL Draft. Bennett was seen by many as the favorite, at least initially. He played well filling in for Thomas last season.
The Ducks were ranked fifth in USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll preseason rankings — even though they hadn’t named a quarterback yet. It’s a testament to the faith put in coach Chip Kelly’s offense.
Mariota will face plenty of pressure directing the high-scoring attack as the Ducks attempt to top Matt Barkley and USC for the Pac-12 title. If he struggles early, calls for Bennett to play could come quickly.
Redshirt freshman WR Tacoi Sumler, perhaps the fastest player in the high school class of 2011 (he posted a 4.24 40-yard dash), will transfer from Oregon, the school announced.
Rob Moseley of the Eugene Register-Guard writes that despite a lack of proven depth at the position, Sumler was unlikely to make the Ducks’ travel squad. In addition to all the veterans, Oregon has two other redshirt freshman WRs and signed three more pass-catchers in the 2012 recruiting class.
The diminutive (5’9″, 173 pounds) Sumler, a Miami native, was rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com, and a three-star by Scout.com. ESPN.com ranked him as the No. 62 player in the class of 2011.
University of Oregon head coach Chip Kelly has decided not to accept an offer to become the new head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
“His heart is with college football and Oregon and he’s no longer being considered,” Tampa Bay general manager Mark Dominik told the paper this morning.
Kelly interviewed with the Buccaneers last week and was considered to be the top candidate to take the position. The 48-year-old head coach has led the Oregon Ducks to a 34-6 record in his three years with the squad. During his tenure the team has made three straight BCS bowl games.
The head coaching position in Tampa Bay became vacant after the club made the decision to fire Raheem Morris after just three years on the job. Morris lead the Buccaneers to a 10-6 record in 2010, but the team regressed in 2011 finishing just 4-12.
Oregon coach Chip Kelly is reportedly nearing a deal that will make him head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to KGW TV in Portland.
KGW's Michael Berk reports Chip Kelly is working to finalize a deal that would make him head coach of the Tampa Bay Bucs. More on KGW at 5.— KGW Sports (@KGWSports) January 23, 2012
Sources told the news station that Kelly would make the jump if both sides could agree on a contract.
Kelly has been at Oregon for three seasons, leading the Ducks to three consecutive BCS bowl appearances, including the BCS National Champiosnhip in 2011. Oregon beat Wisconsin 45-38 in the 2012 Rose Bowl, his only postseason win.
Prior to becoming head coach, Kelly was the offensive coordinator at Oregon, and also held assistant jobs at New Hampshire, Johns Hopkins, and Columbia.
James helped lead the Ducks to a 45-38 Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin by running for 159 yards and a touchdown against the Badgers.
James will forego his senior season after rushing for 1,805 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. Last year he ran for 1731 yards and 21 touchdowns as a sophomore.
