Media Day doesn’t mean much. It’s the shorts and helmets version of the football season, with everybody checking in and running around.
The one valuable thing it can do is give fans a glimpse of the state of mind and the themes of the season, an idea of how a new coach is going to approach his job.
Oregon Dad: Offensive tackle Jake Fisher said Mark Helfrich would create more of a family atmosphere around Duck football, and he was confident that the players would practice and play hard for him. (cbssports.com photo)
Helfrich said he wasn’t concerned about pressure or putting his own stamp on the program. “If I’m just known as the coach who kept winning after Chip Kelly left, I’m fine with that.” He said he’s spoken to The Visor several times over the last few months, and the main advice the parting head coach gave him was the same advice Kelly got from Mike Bellotti: “Be yourself.”
That’s important. It’s clear that Helf doesn’t bring a big ego to his new job, or worry excessively about perception. He’s too focused on doing it, the process, and that’s good news for fans who are concerned about how he’ll handle fourth and two or whether to run or pass.
He said the challenge of transition is eased immeasurably by the strength of his staff and their continuity. “We have great people here,” he told the media. “And they’ve made all the transitions a lot easier. Eight of the ten coaches for the last four years are still here, so we know what our hot buttons are, how we motivate each other.”
The 39-year-old head coach reflected that in most coaching changes, the challenge is “the newness of the people, making sure everybody is on the same page. We have that.”
On play-calling and his confidence in Scott Frost, the Coos Bay native pointed to Frost’s experience in working with renowned football minds like Bill Walsh and Jim Mora junior, noting that the strength of collaboration on the staff was a powerful ally in pressure situations.
It will be. Frost has played for and won a national championship. He’s had his ass chewed by Bill Parcells. Third and seven against Nicholls State is not a big deal, and there are 9 weeks to get ready for third and 11 against Washington.
“This is the best time of year,” Helfrich said, indicating he was eager to get out on the field with the guys and measure their progress. He cited Byron Marshall and Derrick Malone as players for whom “it’s time to step up.” For newcomers like Joe Walker, Thomas Tyner and Kani Benoit, young players like Rahim Cassell and Rodney Hardrick, “They see the opportunity. Now do they seize it?”
The coach looks on the challenge of a new season with wide-open potential with fresh eyes and new energy. He’s not ducking questions with sarcasm and cliches. All his energy is forward, and the anticipation and focus was palpable. This will be a positive, forward-thinking operation. It won’t be as nasty or guarded, but it will be every bit as much organized and on-point.
Fans have to feel good about how Helfrich has handled his new job in the first six months. Andy McNamara, reporting from practice for goducks.com, said:
Outside of a few new faces, the schedule, pace and drills remained basically identical to recent years.
He also observed that Ricky Havili-Hemuli looks fit and mobile, and Thomas Tyner impressed with “his ability to accelerate in and out of cuts.” Two pieces of good news. The Ducks need Double H to be the stout 3-technique tackle, the run stopper and gap eater in the middle of the line. Along with Wade K., he’s the “SEC size” d-linemen that Duck fans have long coveted. A strong, agile monster who can stand up to anyone in the conference. Tyner cutting at full speed suggests he’s picking up the offense and practicing with confidence. He’ll be ready.
But so will Byron Marshall, who prepared hard in the off season and approaches the running back competition with healthy confidence, maturity and perspective.
About recruiting, Helfrich was emphatic. Asked about the new facilities, he said, “From a recruiting standpoint it’s immeasurable. The response has been off-the-charts positive.”
Helfrich added, “Our first two things when we talk about recruits are character and attitude, and that can never change, and will never change.”
Facing Oregon Media Day for the first time as the CEO of Oregon football, he even made a joke about Texas not going to a bowl game and Washington going 0-12.
Mark Helfrich doesn’t feel pressure, because he knows what he’s doing.
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