I have often thought about what Coach Brooks achieved at Oregon, but the real accomplishment is where he brought us from when he began. But what about later? What was left after he moved up to the NFL, and later to the SEC at Kentucky?
Coach Brooks turned Kentucky into a winner in the ruthless SEC and set a school record for bowl appearances, and when he left it appeared to be in good hands of a protégé he mentored. Yet that coach was fired recently as the Wildcats could not tolerate any more losing under this coach. What Coach Brooks achieved again from where he began was simply amazing at Kentucky.
At Oregon? He left us with Mike Bellotti who was able to build upon the foundation Rich built, and we have flourished since. We have to count our blessings at Oregon to have been left with a superb coach compared to what happened to Kentucky. It goes to show how hard it is in succession, and maintaining success. It also says so much about the fire and intensity of Coach Brooks to twice build winners from almost nothing. Have a great retirement Coach…you deserve it!
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Charles Fischer has been an intense fan of the Ducks, a season ticket holder at Autzen Stadium for 35 years and has written reports on football boards for over 23 years. Known as “FishDuck” on those boards, he is acknowledged for providing intense detail in his scrimmage reports and in his Xs and Os play analyses. He and his wife Lois, have a daughter Christine, reside in Eugene Oregon, where he was a Financial Advisor for 36 years and now focuses full-time on Charitable Planned Giving Workshops for churches and non-profit organizations.
He does not profess to be a coach or analyst, but simply a “hack” that enjoys sharing what he has learned and invites others to correct or add to this body of Oregon Football! See More…
