In Mark Helfrich, 39, Scott Frost 38, and Matt Lubick, 41, Oregon football has gained an infusion of youth and energy at the core of its leadership. It’s already paying dividends with the recent commit of Devon Allen, strong interest by offensive lineman Cameron Hunt, and renewed enthusiasm from verbal commits Thomas Tyner and the Robinson twins.
Helfrich and his staff moved quickly to refocus on recruiting after Kelly’s departure, and they should close strong. Lubick has a deserved reputation as a dynamite recruiter and a master of the passing offense and receiving fundamentals, footballscoop.com’s receiving coach of the year in 2012. Duke made three bowls while Lubick was there, and last season his wide receivers paced the team, the tandem of Conner Vernon, Jamison Crowder and Desmond Scott combining for 2,686 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Imagine the Oregon offense, already formidable at number two in the country, with that kind of productivity at wideout.
In his previous stops Lubick pulled down recruiting commitments from future stars like Dexter McCluster and Vontaze Burfict. He’s a star salesman who relates well to players and is extremely thorough in teaching the fundamentals of the receiver position. He should do wonders with Chance Allen, Dwayne Sanford, Devon Allen, B.J. Kelley, Bralon Addison, Keanon Lowe, Eric Dungey, Daryle Hawkins, Will Murphy, De’Anthony Thomas and Josh Huff.
If Oregon is going to make their recent run of success stick, and reach the next level with a national championship and another batch of PAC-12 crowns, decisive moves like the promotions of Helfrich and Frost and the hiring of Lubick will pave the way. Perhaps the Ducks CAN replace Chip Kelly and keep growing. Phil Knight was the architect of Oregon’s rise from mediocrity, and Greatwood, Alliotti, Pellum, Radcliffe, Campbell and Radcliffe were the crack construction crew. This last week they’ve added some master craftsmen to contribute to a new phase of development.
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