Claremore Daily Progress

Sports

January 20, 2013

AP Source: Oregon promotes OC Helfrich to head coach

ASSOCIATED PRESS Associated Press

EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon hired Mark Helfrich as its football coach Sunday, promoting him from offensive coordinator as the successor to Chip Kelly.

Two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed the decision to The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the school had not announced it. The school scheduled an afternoon news conference. The move was first reported by CBSSports.com.

Kelly stepped down at Oregon on Wednesday to coach the Philadelphia Eagles. Helfrich's promotion does not come as a surprise. Before Kelly left for the NFL, the offensive coordinator was considered the front-runner for the position.

The Ducks promoted wide receivers coach Scott Frost, the former Nebraska quarterback, to offensive coordinator, according to those who spoke with the AP.

Oregon, ranked No. 2 in the final AP Top 25, went 12-1 this season capped by a victory over Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Helfrich is from Oregon and was appointed offensive coordinator of the Ducks when Kelly took over four seasons ago. The Ducks have appeared in BCS bowls each of those four years, including an appearance in the national championship game against Auburn in 2011.

Before joining the Ducks, the 39-year old Helfrich was quarterbacks coach at Colorado from 2006 to 2008.

Kelly came to the Ducks in 2007 as offensive coordinator under coach Mike Bellotti and is credited with creating Oregon's innovative hurry-up spread offense. Kelly went 46-7 at Oregon.

It had been widely expected that Kelly would jump to the NFL, leaving many surprised when he announced he was staying at Oregon after interviewing with Philadelphia, Cleveland and Buffalo following the Fiesta Bowl. Nine days later, however, he changed his mind and decided to go to the Eagles.



 

Text Only
Sports
  • DSC_0047web.jpg Verdigris’ Hanslovan commits to ORU

    One of the biggest decisions of her upcoming senior year is finally behind Verdigris High School soccer standout Caitlyn Hanslovan.
    The four-year letterwinner and three-time Class 4A state champion forward announced Tuesday that she will commit to playing NCAA Division I soccer at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa.

    May 22, 2013 2 Photos

  • DSC_0209web.jpg RSU's Loy earns third-straight Academic All American honor

    Rogers State senior outfielder Katrina Loy was named to the Capital One Academic All-America College Division Softball Third Team as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • DSC_0202web.jpg Area players earn All-Region baseball awards

    The awards keep piling up for Verdigris High School graduate Blake Battenfield.
    After being named to the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State Large East team earlier this week, Battenfield and numerous other players from Rogers County earned OCA All-Region accolades.
    Battenfield was joined by his teammate, Ryan Hurd, who was a senior outfielder/shortstop for the three-time Class 3A state champion Verdigris Cardinals.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • SEC BASEBALL TOURNEY: Arkansas clips No. 2 LSU, 4-1

    Arkansas starting pitcher Ryne Stanek allowed one unearned run and struck out four over eight strong innings, while Tyler Spoon and Matt Vinson each had three hits as No. 15 Arkansas defeated No. 2 LSU, 4-1, on Thursday night at the SEC Baseball Tournament at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

    May 24, 2013

  • GOLF: Rickie Fowler planning $100K donation to Oklahoma relief

    Rickie Fowler is encouraging fans attending the Colonial to contribute to relief efforts after the deadly tornado this week in Oklahoma.

    May 24, 2013

  • Southern Cal increases lead in NCAA Women's Golf Championship

    Annie Park shot a 2-under 70 in windy conditions Thursday to take the individual lead and help Southern California increase its lead to 17 strokes with one round left in the NCAA Women's Golf Championships.

    May 24, 2013

  • GOLF: Colonial member Ryan Palmer has 1st round lead with 62

    Ryan Palmer has a definite home-course advantage at the Colonial.
    Palmer and his longtime caddie James Edmondson are both full-fledged members of the club, and play there quite often. Edmondson is even the reigning Colonial club champion, having won his third such title just last year.

    May 24, 2013

  • 49ers coach Harbaugh will drive Indy 500 pace car

    Jim Harbaugh insists he will coachable when it comes to the tricks of driving the Indianapolis 500 pace car this weekend.

    May 24, 2013

  • NASCAR: Hamlin captures pole for Coca-Cola 600

    Denny Hamlin isn't ready to say he's back, even after winning the pole for the Coca-Cola 600 with a record-setting qualifying lap Thursday night.

    May 24, 2013

  • NHL: Blackhawks hope to rally from 3-1 series deficit

    The Chicago Blackhawks began the year with a record-breaking start.
    The NHL's best team during the regular season will have to finish the season strong to avoid flopping out of the playoffs in the second round.

    May 24, 2013