Breaking news this Friday afternoon as it is being reported Oregon football coach Mike Bellotti is stepping down after 14 seasons in Eugene. In that time he made Oregon a prominent program nationally, finishing with a 116-55 record.He guided the school to four seasons of 10 or more victories, a pair of Pac-10 championships, a Rose Bowl and a Fiesta Bowl victory over Colorado in 2001 when they arguably should have been playing Miami for the national championship. The announcement was not unexpected, as Oregon said it would name offensive coordinator Chip Kelly his successor and slide Bellotti over to the Athletic Director's desk upon his retirement.
Bellotti had succeeded Rich Brooks in 1995, leading Oregon into a new era with Nike as a partner and an aggressive offense directed by names like Jeff Tedford, Gary Crowton, Andy Ludwig and Chip Kelly. Kelly will become just the third Oregon coach since 1977.
Offense was Bellotti's calling card, directing an endless string of efficient attacks, while hiring and developing some of the best coordinators in the game, and helping Oregon avoid poor seasons. In fact, Bellotti had just one season of sub-.500 football, in 2004 with a 5-6 record. His longevity and outsized appearance -- he sported a trademark moustache that was only recently dropped in favor of a clean-shaven look -- made him the dean of Pac-10 coaches, a title that will now fall to USC coach Pete Carroll who was hired in 2001.
Although it's hard to think of Oregon football without Bellotti, the transition to Chip Kelly will very likely be a smooth one. Even by their high standards, the Oregon offense has been exceptional under Kelly the last two seasons.
In the meantime we congratulate coach Bellotti on a successful career achieved at a place not considered among the traditional powers.
