Oregon Football: 11 Coaching Candidates to Replace Mario Cristobal
Steven Lassan -
Oregon Football: 11 Coaching Candidates to Replace Mario Cristobal (msn.com)
Oregon is the latest college football program looking for a head coach, as Mario Cristobal is leaving Eugene to take over at Miami. Cristobal went 35-13 with the Ducks after taking over in 2017. He also guided the program to two Pac-12 titles and an appearance in the conference championship this year.
Who could replace Cristobal at Oregon? Here are 11 names to watch in the coaching search:
11 Coaching Candidates to Replace Mario Cristobal at Oregon
Dave Aranda, Head Coach, BaylorAranda has expressed he's committed to Baylor, but his name could pop in this coaching search and Oregon should at least inquire if he has any interest. Aranda is 13-9 with the Bears, including a 11-2 mark this year with a Big 12 title after beating Oklahoma State on Saturday. Prior to taking over at Baylor, the California native worked as the defensive coordinator at a handful of jobs, including LSU, Wisconsin, Utah State and Hawaii.
Andy Avalos, Head Coach, Boise State Avalos is probably a longshot here, as the California native just wrapped up his first season at his alma mater with a 7-5 record. The former Boise State linebacker has plenty of familiarity with Oregon after spending 2019-20 as the program’s defensive coordinator.
Matt Campbell, Head Coach, Iowa State Campbell’s name seems to pop up for every Power 5 opening, but the odds of him leaving Iowa State are slim. The Ohio native landed his first head-coaching job at Toledo at the end of the 2011 season and proceeded to go 35-15 until departing for Iowa State prior to ’16. The Cyclones went 3-9 in Campbell’s first year but won at least seven games in each of the next five seasons. Overall, Campbell is 42-33 with one trip to the Big 12 title game at Iowa State….
As much as I like Aranda and actually wanted him for the USC job until Riley popped up...Aranda stull has only two years as a HC, hasn't proven his recruiting chops yet. He obviously knows how to put together a staff...and I've always ike his sideline manner....big improvement over Christibol IMHO. With all that said I'm not sure based upon the articles I've read that money will be the driver in him jumping ship....being from Southern Cal...wouldn't it shake things up if he said no to Oregon who then hired Chip Kelly and UCLA decided they needed Aranda....:-)
Let me add another factor:
Whatever Phil wants.
Sitake is the best of the realistic choices. Aranda is a hot name this off-season, everyone has made a run at him. If Miami can outspend Oregon I doubt the Ducks can outspend Baylor. Apparently Phil Knight has a cap ( as per jhop) And Miami whipped his ass.
Let me help out a bit here...
Dave Aranda is Oregon's #1 Target (not sure if he'll leave but Nike + money does talk...)
Andy Avalos ain't leaving BSU much like Chip ain't leaving Miami (909 is totally correct, here).
Matt Campbell's AD is best friends with Oregon's AD (best man at his wedding)....we aren't poaching him from Iowa State nor does he want to move anyway.
Tony Elliott is an intriguing name, but not heard him mentioned yet by insiders.
Bryan Harsin ain't happening--he's Rolo 2.0. And an above average coach at best.
Chip Kelly is an extreme fall-back position, basically worst-case scenario. I wouldn't be totally against it however, with a staff of crack recruiters and a new DC.
Dan Lanning's name I've heard mentioned but not sure he's ready for prime time.
Kalani Sitake has asked for an interview, but I'm not sure he's a good enough recruiter for Oregon (he does beat p12 teams better than most p12 teams, though!)
Justin Wilcox will never happen as long as Phil Knight is alive (nothing personal but he does want a crystal football before he dies).
Lane Kiffin seems to be a favorite of many duck fans. Me, I'd puke if he came to Oregon, plus he just signed an extension--THANK GOD!!!
Joe Salave'a is a good DL coach but would make a terrible head coach and a terrible recruiter. Where does this author come up with some of these names??....LOL!!
Considering the history between BSU and Oregon, it would be ironic if the duckies poached a BSU coach. That's become a salty little rivalry over the years.