Haywarduck

Agree it use to be like Christmas with signing day, all the new student athletes you were allotted. Now it is like having parents who can't find all the gifts, student athlete's until they leak out over the months after Christmas. The transfer portal has created a whole different element for building a team. If you are good at it, the team you build is much more likely to have the players you need after seeing them play against you or other teams. Watching high school kids dominate against inferior talent is hard to evaluate. Coaches often rely on the camps kids go too, but those are often just a place to get a glowing write up as the kids parents are paying for the camp. Kicker camps are notorious for promoting kickers who can only perform in a vacuum, with the wind behind them. The transfer portal may become the more productive way of picking up talent with heart, which only shows up once game day switches to Saturday. Colleges may end up signing only the sure things and then picking up transfers who have proved themselves at lesser schools, or from coaches who promised them more than they could, would provide. Could it be the teams out of the top 20 are the proving grounds for the 2* and 3* talent, kind of like a minor league. They then move on to the bigger schools if they pan out and play for pay, which is already happening? We don't know how it will all play out, but it could be interesting as we see some crazy stuff happening.

Seems like a pretty good idea at the high school level. You don't have punters, kickers who can do much. I wonder what data was being analyzed, I imagine high school statistics. I do agree with analytics. Also love the line at the end of the story. “Worldly wisdom teaches us that it is better for reputation to fail conventionally than to succeed unconventionally.” This is another reason I like the hiring of the young guys. They will be more apt to question conventional wisdom and succeed doing it. Our program has the reputation of doing just that, once again, hopefully!

My experience says Mullens was doing what needed to be done as the acting AD. He needed to fulfill NCAA requirements for interviewing a diverse group of candidates, check. He needed to interview an alumni to appease the alumni base, check. He also needed to look like he was bringing back the offense, check. While this was going on the real work was being done, by those who lead the decision making process. The press had no idea about this process so they made up all kinds of stories about Mullens actions. Everyone has their role and Mullens did his very well. Most importantly the Oregon Football Program made the right decision.

Urban was, not surprisingly, fired. What program is going to take a chance on this guy? Seems like a Rick Pitino type character at this point. Rick ended up at Iona College. I think Urban may just stay on tv for a while, if a network will take him. He has a strong coaching tree, but his roots are rotten.

Always a pleasure to read and see your analysis. I look forward to future information on this hire as there is undoubtedly a lot of information to digest. It will also be interesting to see how Dillingham will do as The offensive mind of the team. With Norvell as his mentor Dillingham was undoubtedly tied to Norm's ideas and processes, not a bad thing for a young OC. We will now have Dillingham running the complete show. What twist has he been wanting to do which Coach Norvell may not have been open too? That will be an interesting item to see. This would be a question I would ask him, if I was at his presser. A new OC without the heavy hand of the old guard, will be exciting to see!

I didn't believe it until he pulled out the boxes of t-shirts Mullens had made. Once again reporting where there were no facts, just saying what people want to believe.

I have been around, and even seen world class athletes teach, it isn't always pretty. Most love being around the great world class athlete, and may talk about what they said, but they can't apply what they said. The world class athletes lesson is usually just an amazing story, everyone remembers afterward. An elite master teacher is worth every penny. The reason the NBA is now full of ex-players as coaches is because they are just glorified baby sitters. I wouldn't take a lesson from a coach, over a player, but a true master teacher, any day. Have you had a lesson from a legend? I will admit Einstein and his teacher would have been way over my head! I have also been around some math quants, crazy stuff their minds do.

Great point, having Lanning on the sideline is a big bonus. Maybe we can work out an agreement he wears an Oregon hat and the Georgia shirt?

Hate to see talented Oregon kids leave the state. I would love to hear Lanning make that a goal. Cristobal went after this and it would nice to see it continued. If we want an Oregon kid he should be ours!

That one hurt! A direct impact of C-offense and his leaving.

What is amazing is Mario leveraged Oregon's Brand like nobody, while destroying it. The problem was the leverage was beginning to run out, we lucked out indeed!

I think we got a top recruit from Nebraska too. Can't keep them in Nebraska or coming to Nebraska. Well done Dan Can Recruit Lanning!

I would give Sir Mells some credit too, but Dan Can Recruit Lanning should get some too! The idea Lanning asked each recruit who else should I call might be his recruiting pitch too.

I would take Tiger Woods' instructor over Tiger Woods, maybe a beer with Tiger, actually maybe not. There is a saying those who can, do, and those who can't, teach. A grinder may be a better choice, but if he wants to work at the craft, I would love to see it.

OK, I'll help out with the visual

Not a fan of DJ James, but is DJ Johnson going to play, my favorite. Love DJ Johnson, he has the talent and heart to make or break a team. We should clone this guy!

I guess social media is the way to get things done in this day and age. I'm just not from this day and age, I suppose. I would love to see DL reach out to alumni, coaches and players, and see who can be helpful. Said it before, Bellotti could be an invaluable asset to have on a new coach's side. A Will Takuafu would be another great alumni type hire at a low level. Some of the guys who were grinders, may have what it takes to make a difference. From Dan's background I would say waiting outside his office to talk to him would be a more productive method. Work harder than Dan does at finding you, and you might have a chance. Know your audience LaMike!

Without Mario to follow around I am wondering what he will do? Isn't that what he did when Mario left? I definitely want to know how Moorhead will call the game, but who will Feld follow might be an equally compelling question. Strength and conditioning coach Aaron Feld will also remain with the Ducks for the Alamo Bowl.

I wonder how he will feel once he sees the product on the field? I have no doubt plenty of talent will feel the same way.

The 'Salad Days' of Oregon coaching. A time of great achievement, wonder, thriving and growth. It is also a time of green judgement. Should be exciting, and amazing contrast to our recent past. The wilting of our once proud offense can become green again, not a bad thing! These young guys just might redefine green judgement, aggressive, innovative and nutritious to the fans and players! Put me down as afire with anticipation. This seems in line with what the Oregon Football Program is all about.

Oregon still doesn't have any sources worth the pencils they write with. Hopefully somebody will get a relationship with Lanning, but I suppose it shows we are a national name, not just local news?

Great article and it was the chink in our armor too. From 20' away it all looked good. As one got closer the chinks looked worse and worse. Top recruiting was something we could hang our hat on. We were elite, and when it all lined up we could justify that mentality. Much like the run up the gut against the dawgs, it worked. All we had to do was focus on our recruiting rankings, right? The problem was a limited offense limits the output. In this day and age if you don't have an important element others have, you are at a disadvantage. An aggressive passing attack, and explosive plays are fundamental football, at the elite level. I will look for a downfield passing attack, and more discipline on penalties as my two elements to see if Lanning has changed the Oregon Football Program in a productive way. Wins and staying in games are just fluff. We need to have progress towards making teams sweat again on defense, not drool. We also need to see everyone on the same page, and nobody acting selfishly, or without discipline. That change, hopefully, began when Cristobal left, and Lanning landed. This is probably the single most important element Lanning can bring.