kirklandduck

Certainly couldn't hurt at this point.

Washing out at 2 consecutive OC positions is why he's stuck as an assistant QB coach. DL has to turn to him because apparently there just isn't any other choice.

Not sure about Slade Nagle. Not a ton of significant OC experience, his resume kind of resembles Mehringer's where there's a bunch of positional experience at a bunch of stops with a bit of OC at a couple spots. The only difference being that he's shown some success at Houston so far as the OC last season and this season. But those results are so short that it's difficult to say if he really has the ability to elevate a top 5 team's offense or he's simply a high floor/lower ceiling guy.

For most people, admitting that you're wrong is the hardest part. Merhinger was with him from the beginning when they first stepped foot in Eugene so firing him wasn't easy both personally and professionally. Performing a candidate search and hiring a new OC is a far easier task.

The fact that DL found Dilly and Stein in consecutive hires proves that he knows how to find great coaching talent. I think this time around his devotion to "loyalty and working your way up" (like he did during his career) overrode what worked at these critical positions. That devotion isn't a bad thing and is very admirable however he can step in and help the DC if they're struggling like he obviously did with Hampton. But he doesn't have that ability to help on the other side of the ball and should've been more cognizant of that. Let's see if he's truly learned his lesson and goes through a thorough interview/hiring process for the new OC.

Pretty predictable article and of course correct. The hangover from the bad hiring decisions will extend to the off season at minimum. But now that he's finally done the hard part (firing Merhinger), he can start the course correction and get things ready for a steady comeback season next year.

I have to fundamentally disagree with this. Leading the team to consecutive CFP appearances and a semi-final game doesn't exactly scream "worst coach with the most wins". There are definitely other coaches at winning programs that are far worse than DL. He messed up a coordinator hire and now he's attempting to rectify it. Bad timing but it happens even with the best teams. My two cents.

How he handles the interview and hiring processes for the new OC will be telling. It'll be his one shot to truly show that he's learned his lesson and taking these sorts of hires seriously.

Whoever the OC will be should be given wide latitude to remake the offensive staff. If it were me the only ones I’d retain would be Douglas and Samples.

Hampton is doing well enough to retain him. All the big issues are on the offensive side…Mehringer is already out. I think the QB and OL coaches need to go too.

I would imagine it would be like any open job, some can get hired and start immediately.

DL really didn’t have any choice. I understand the loyalty and promoting from within but Mehringer seriously didn’t have any kind of resume to deserve being OC. Not for a top 5 fbs program anyway.

Locksley was already fired. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/50250293/mike-locksley-says-peace-firing-maryland

That’s the other draw. Still relatively young but a wealth of experience to draw on including making it to the national championship game. Not to mention he’s a good QB coach.

I don’t think Chip will leave a good thing going at Northwestern. They’re doing well and he probably has wide latitude to do what he wants. I do think Helfrich would be a better choice given his experience, availability, Oregon roots, and high football IQ.

OC change is now officially on the table. I would also argue for changes at QB coach and possibly OL coach ASAP. https://duckswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/ducks/football/2026/10/24/oregon-football-dan-lanning-speaks-oc-change/92422657007/

Terrible missed block by Fox Crader.

Springfield PD has already debunked racing as just a rumor.

I'm seeing online that Lott may have been banged up near the end of last game.

OBD will now be without 4 of their top 5 WRs. What the heck is going on? https://duckswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/ducks/football/2026/10/23/oregon-football-jalen-lott-messiah-hampton-illinois-out/92405876007/

I could see him getting a quiet restart to his career at Northwestern under Chip Kelly. Fewer eyeballs, less pressure.

It explains why they went after Jordan Seaton in the offseason but got outbid by LSU.

I think NFL recruiters and talent evaluators are cognizant enough to understand that a subpar OL would result in reduced QB performance and isn't an indicator of bad talent. My guess is that Dante will be back once he's medically cleared and in shape.

I don't hate that idea...not sure how he is as a teacher but he certainly has all the college and NFL experience for a solid educational foundation.

I'd argue that bringing in an experienced, accomplished QB coach should happen before recruiting another QB transfer.