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5 potential replacements for Mark Helfrich at Oregon

By John Buhler

Nov 26, 2016; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich walks onto the field before the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich walks onto the field before the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /
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November 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly instructs during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Levi
November 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly instructs during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Levi /

1. Chip Kelly, San Francisco 49ers head coach

It wouldn’t be in the least bit shocking if Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens reaches out to for Ducks head coach Chip Kelly to try to woo him back to the Pac-12. Kelly has been in the NFL since 2013.

After initially succeeding with the Philadelphia Eagles, the up-tempo offense of Kelly’s has been stuck in a quagmire with the atrocious 2016 San Francisco 49ers. While Kelly would have the opportunity to draft a franchise quarterback in the 2017 NFL Draft, who knows if Deshaun Watson, DeShone Kizer, or Mitch Trubisky are going to hit?

Kelly may have to assess his situation in Santa Clara and honestly ask himself, “Do I want to work with Jed York and Trent Baalke or do I want to work with Rob Mullens or Phil Knight?” Leaving the NFL may do a number on Kelly’s hubris, but he is probably better suited at the college level. NFL defenses now make mincemeat of his offense that does not adjust week to week. That is a major reason for the 49ers being 1-9 through 10 2016 games.

Knight will have to pay top dollar to pry Kelly away from the NFL, but he is the best head coach Oregon has ever had. The Ducks would slaughter its opposition at halftime with the hurry-up spread attack. Oregon played in meaningful bowl games, including the 2010 National Championship.

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Is Kelly expensive? Absolutely. He is quirky, but knows everything about what it takes to make Oregon football a national power again. If Kelly is evenly remotely interested in coming back to Eugene, pay him a top-five Power 5 salary and bring him back to the Pacific Northwest.

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