Regardless of how head coach Mario Cristobal made his exit from Oregon, the entrance he made we cannot forget. Recruiting some of the most talented players in team history will create monumental waves rippling far past 2021, and continue to contribute to a team culture that creates expectation of great skill entering the program for years to come.
Now, the crucial shift with our next coach will be realizing that expectation of excellence on the field as well as molding/motivating it to a College Football Playoff berth. I think Matt Rhule from the Carolina Panthers may end up in that role for Our Beloved Ducks.
His job shouldn’t be in imminent danger given the size of his contract with the Panthers (7 years -$60 million), though after firing the LSU passing guru Joe Brady from his offensive coordinator position, a few more losses on the season could give the Ducks an opportunity to bring Rhule back to college football where he was a complete program changer. Rhule’s resume is borderline unrivaled with the turnaround success, as he found teams struggling and quickly turned them into contenders. His sideline presence is vicious, and it’s clear his players have bought into what he’s created every step of the way through college at Temple and Baylor.
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Cristobal’s sideline presence never sold me the program fully. Perhaps Rhule could change that.
This scenario is assuming that Oregon doesn’t fill the role immediately. Lane Kiffin rumors have sprouted up in the last few days which could be a quick-fix for Oregon, I just don’t see them materializing with the Ole Miss program being another ten-win program that’s in the top-10. Speaking of the top-10 rankings, Cristobal departed at about as crucial of a point in the season as you can, and Oregon is surely not going to rely on Bryan McClendon for head coaching duties after the bowl game against a fellow freshly coach-poached team in Oklahoma.
With the talent already at Rhule’s disposal, Oregon would be an ideal landing spot in college if the Ducks elect to not jump the gun on a coaching hire within the next couple weeks. It seems Rhule is the real deal the Ducks are looking for to guide their program, and the one that could convert that into success in January.
How do you think Rhule would fit in as the head coach at Oregon? Do you buy the Kiffin rumors?
Alex Heining
Los Angeles, California
Top Photo from: Twitter
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Alex Heining is an Oregon alumni from the graduate class of 2021. After studying sports business and media studies, he has moved into the field of digital marketing as a copywriter and content manager in the Los Angeles area. Still, he loves his Ducks and goes to local high school games all over the Los Angeles and Orange County area to check out new recruits of the future (and a SoFi game or two with the pros). On any given Saturday, expect to find him doing martial arts, playing the guitar, or screaming at the tv over a missed holding penalty.