Leading Oregon to its worst season in 25 years has cost Mark Helfrich his job.
Oregon announced on Tuesday night that it has fired Helfrich as head coach of the football program. The news comes after Helfrich met with athletic director Rob Mullens on Tuesday night.
“We want to thank Mark for his eight years with the University of Oregon and appreciate his efforts on behalf of Oregon football,” Mullens said in a statement through the school. “We wish Mark and his family the best.”
According to CSN Northwest’s Aaron Fentress, Mullens and Helfrich had been trying to connect for a meeting since the Ducks lost the Civil War game against Oregon State on Saturday and finally did on Tuesday. Helfrich reportedly had to sell Mullens on a plan to turn things around in Eugene, but apparently his case was not convincing enough.
Helfrich took over the powerhouse program after Chip Kelly left for the Philadelphia Eagles and enjoyed success his first two seasons. The program went 11-2 and then 13-2. The second season saw Marcus Mariota win the Heisman Trophy and the Ducks reach the national championship game.
But Oregon went 9-4 last season as they endured injuries to transfer QB Vernon Adams, and they were a disastrous 4-8 this season. That sort of record is inexcusable for Oregon’s football team, and that is why Helfrich was fired. There is no word yet on a replacement, but previous reports said Nike founder/Oregon booster Phil Knight was willing to pay insane money to bring in a new coach.
