A member of the Oregon legislature plans to introduce a bill that would require the state's public universities, including Oregon and Oregon State, to interview at least one minority before hiring a head football coach.
In a trend that seems to be sweeping through this potentially-heated offseason hiring period like a jam band through downtown Eugene, Mike Bellotti of Oregon announced on Tuesday his plans to step aside as Oregon head coach and pass the reigns to current offensive coordinator (and rumored head coach candidate for a couple open jobs) Chip Kelly. 
While programs all over the country are in the midst of off-season workouts, the players also take time to cool off and enjoy the summer. But with that, unfortunately the Oregon Ducks lost a member of the family over the weekend. Redshirt freshman safety Todd Doxey, 19, drowned in Oregon's McKenzie River on Sunday."I understand that people did everything that they could -- the paramedics, the ambulance, the doctors and the players who were there. It's obviously a very helpless feeling for me not to be there," added Bellotti, who was previously scheduled to return to Eugene Monday after concluding his vacation in California. "Hopefully everybody comes away with a greater appreciation for the gifts they're blessed with and come away with the lessons that we can never be too cautious."Doxey hails from San Diego. He was a scout team player of the week for four consecutive games last season, his true frosh year, and was looked upon as a contributor to special teams and a backup rover/safety for the 2008 season. But the on-the-field impact is inconsequential at this point. Such a sad loss, with so much life ahead for the young man. We wish all the best to the Doxey family.
Few things in life are as heartwarming as a lifelong bond between father and son. Playing catch in the backyard. Going fishing. Hell, getting a little homework help. But then young men eventually grow up and gain independence and make decisions that take them away from their fathers.
Your ex-husband's team is in BCS contention, playing a heated conference rival who they haven't beaten since 2001. Despite a relatively close score, they're pretty thoroughly dominating said rival and are well on their way to a key victory for the program. Your mind is focused on the celebration plans for that evening, maybe occasionally wandering to thoughts of good hotels in the New Orleans area to start researching.
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1. Bill Doba, Washington State |
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When Mike Price bailed on the WSU program, Doba was elevated to head coach after a career of assistant coaching. It felt as though he was doing the program a favor, more or less taking over the ship while the captain hopped off on a lifeboat full of cash. After a strong beginning, highlighted with a 2003 Holiday Bowl win and another top-10 finish, success has been fleeting. But is it really all his fault, what's happened the last few years? With all the devastating injuries the program has suffered, at a school were depth is always an issue, it's hard to imagine too many coaches doing a heck of a lot better than Doba in the same situation. So is this the end of the line? He hasn't been a terrible head coach. The last few years have been a struggle, but he still has a 25-22 record from 2003-2006. A lot of coaches around the country wouldn't mind having that kind of record in a tough BCS conference. He's a class act in every sense, from people that deal with him on a daily basis to the utmost respect shown by his peers, you just never hear a bad word about Doba. There has been some rumor mongering lately, including one wild one that had Mike Price returning to Pullman as the head coach and Doba stepping back down to defensive coordinator. But in a recent interview, Doba threw cold water on that talk, as well as any idea that he'd voluntarily walk away after the season. But one thing has become clear. After last season's disappointing fade, the natives are restless. Doba, more than any other coach in the conference, needs to win now. If the Cougars don't return to postseason play in '07, it will mark four consecutive years without a bowl appearance, the longest stretch of bowl-less holidays at WSU since 1982 – 1987. And if that happens, the decision whether to walk away at the end of the year may not be his call after all. |
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The Cougars were a delightful story at the beginning of the decade, rising from the dregs of the conference to finish in the top 10 among the polls in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
