yahoo
For most college football programs, a 4-3 record through seven games would be considered a respectable start. At Oregon, however, such a mark has sparked alarm and prompted significant changes.
On Sunday, the Ducks dismissed offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer and elevated assistant quarterbacks coach Jay Johnson to take over play-calling duties. The shakeup came shortly before news surfaced that quarterback Dante Moore is unlikely to return to the field this season, potentially signaling the end of his Oregon career.
The staff changes and Moore's situation unfolded just weeks after wide receiver Evan Stewart was detained for DUII. A week later, true freshmen wide receivers Messiah Hampton and Jalen Lott were late scratches and did not travel to Champaign for the matchup against Illinois, despite the team already dealing with a depleted receiver corps.
Oregon dropped that game to the Illini, 21-10, marking its third loss before November. While off-field issues have drawn attention, head coach Dan Lanning has consistently stated he will handle such matters internally.
The on-field product has also been a concern. Over the past three games, the Ducks have managed only 14.0 points per contest, ranking among the nation's worst offenses. A clear disconnect has emerged between the scheme and the highly touted talent across all 11 positions.
Even after Mehringer's dismissal, the coaching staff continues to search for the root of the problem, and they have begun looking beyond their own walls for answers.
"Yeah, in some ways, it's something we've done too," Lanning said when asked about welcoming outside perspectives. "It's just not something that you guys would necessarily know about. The great thing about today's technology is there's the ability to Zoom, evaluate film from a distance, right? Put different eyes and perspectives on some of the stuff that we've done."
Lanning has previously mentioned collaborating with other coaches during the offseason, including Clemson's Dabo Swinney, to discuss program management. He also visited a Seattle Seahawks practice during Oregon's bye week. Given his background on Nick Saban's staff at Alabama, Lanning possesses a deep network of contacts to call upon if he wants other coaches to review his team.
With the Ducks in crisis mode and the staff unable to right the ship just yet, Lanning has turned to external viewpoints for assistance.
Originally reported by yahoo.