Buff OC Mark Helfrich to Interview for the Oregon Job
CU offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mark Helfrich will interview for the offensive coordinator opening at Oregon next week. Helfrich was born in Medford, Ore., and played collegiality at Southern Oregon before being an offensive graduate assistant for the Ducks in 1997.
First of all, I just have to say I wish Oregon would go away. Whether it is battling for recruits or them wanting our coaches (Helfrich and Kiesau), they are annoying.
I know many Buff fans' reactions will be "fine, he can leave, it won't hurt us. Tell me what he has done other than put a bottom tier offense on the field?" Even though I am with many people who have voiced displeasure with the offensive production, trying to find a new offensive coordinator after spring ball who will come to CU with a one year contract and weak pay compared to other programs is not something we want to deal with at this stage in the game. There is also the other factor of changing the system...again.
The only way this may be okay is if coach Kiesau is ready to take the next step and become an offensive coordinator. We then would have to find a quarterbacks coach that could recruit and develop some raw quarterbacks.
What is interesting is how this thing was let out of the bag. I am pretty sure the Jeff Grimes interviewing with Auburn story was let loose by an ESPN writer with a connection to Gene Chizik. This one was clearly let out by Dan Hawkins and the CU SID.
Let the speculating begin...
about 3 years ago
Bob_Bell
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If we don't win 7 regular season games...
It might be time for an O.C. change anyways.
If he does go promote Kiesau (I’m assuming he has a firm grasp on the Offense) and bring in someone like Charles Johnson this season. We need someone with ties to California to recruit. I believe CJ is from San Bernardino.
I’m trying to stay positive but after how hopeful I was going into the season last year, I’d be happy with 6-6 and a bowl. Anything more than it achievable and is where the program should be.
No Rebounds, No Rings
You gotta assume he is gone if Hawk announced this a week early
Hopefully we can dump out those HB draws out of shotgun from the playbook when we change OC’s
Why would Oregon want him?
Here is my response: fine, he can leave, it won’t hurt us. Tell me what he has done other than put a bottom tier offense on the field?" Offensive coordinators like Helfrich are a dime a dozen. Let’s not forget the spread offense failure with players that were completely not suited for that type of system. I remember tons of people wanting him to be fired not only after last year but every year he has been here so far. I agree it would be tough to have happen after the spring game, but honestly, whatever. That is one spot on the coaching staff we can do much better at.
by Business Socks on Apr 21, 2009 11:32 PM MDT reply actions
How about getting Eric Beinimy back to be an OC
Or hell, maybe we can get Jon Gruden LOL, Freaking Ducks!, I had not picked sides since moving here but I am now becoming an official Beaver fan, I was always an unoffical Beaver fan though : P.
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"Good, bad, I'm the one with the gun, A-hole" - Ash from Army of Darkness
Why WOULD Oregon want him?
Good question. Coach Kelly took the reins from Bellotti in part based on the rep he racked up devising the Ducks offense the last two years and, primarily, his LONG stint at New Hampshire (a I-AA powerhouse back in the day). He’s clearly the offensive guru on that sideline, so why Helfrich?
Better question for Helfrich, why Oregon? It is his home state and he could undoubtedly make more dinero. Beyond that, why jump now at this late date?? Or is he getting a shove from Hawk? The big bird can’t be pleased with the timing of this deal. Me thinks there’s more to this story. Maybe Hawk’s trying to beat Irish to the punch by issuing the press release before some “blogger” leaked the story.
Could be a blessing in disguise. Put Kiesau in the driver’s seat and lets get the car on the road; see what he can do. No time to get a quality EXPERIENCED O-Coordinator at this late date; certainly not one that will work for the peanuts we pay. Besides a change in system now ruins the momentum the BUFF’s have worked so hard to establish.
"It is his home state and he could undoubtedly make more dinero. Beyond that, why jump now at this late date?"
you just answered your own question. More money, going home, more security… the end. Pretty much everyone would leave. It’s not like he has any long term ties to CU.
concur on Kiesau getting the bump. We had to work just to keep him this year anyway
by Hallux Valgus on Apr 22, 2009 9:38 AM MDT up reply actions
WOW....
good lord, if this happens i feel that for the obv. reasons stated above that this could also be coach hawkins last year too. no way having to teach a new offense after s.g. gets us to “10 wins” geez whats next? must…..stay……positive…
Its not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
by WildEyedBuffaloe on Apr 22, 2009 12:07 AM MDT reply actions
BTW - CJ the former QB turned announcer/media dude
is from Detroit. Bienemy is a Cali guy, though doubt he’d leave a good gig in the NFL to be a coordinator in college. A good fit, former Buff player, assistant coach AND currently unemployed former KC Chiefs TE coach . . . Jon Embree gets my vote.He’s got the Cali connects as well from his turn at UCLA under Karl Dorrell -another former Buff assistant who might be interested in coming back.
Just sayin’
Karl Dorrell burned a lot of bridges in LA
that’s a big reason he’s gone. there aren’t a lot pof people in the area who liked him.
by Hallux Valgus on Apr 22, 2009 9:43 AM MDT up reply actions
The main question for Helfrich
to Chip Kelly is how much of the offense is he going to call. He may only be a glorified quarterbacks coach at Oregon…
The Ralphie Report - Go Buffs!...All Colorado Buffaloes on SBNation - http://www.ralphiereport.com/
Exactly Irish
That was my first thought as well – will Kelly let Helfrich actually run the offense? I doubt it. So, what is the upside for Helfrich besides the going home part? Kelly just took the head coaching position so that is not an option for at least the next five years and then you won’t actually be in charge of the offense. Don’t get it.
I’ve always liked the Ducks (besides the 100 uniforms) but now they’re starting to piss me off
There is no way that Helfrich would have any authority over the offense there.
Especially not in Kelly’s first year as Head Coach…
The Ralphie Report - University of Colorado Athletics
yeah, but regardless
if he’s offered the job I guarantee he’s gone. Same title at an equally prestigious program (or a little more so these days), going home AND better pay I’m sure.
That was my initial thought as well...
I mean, during spring practice, there is no real offensive coordinator, and QB coaching has been taking over by Bellotti until another coach can be hired…
He would essentially be a QBs coach. And without seniority, I doubt he’d be given a lot of authority over some of the top notch assistants that are already on the offensive side of the ball.
Without that freedom, I don’t see how it would be a step up for him….
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
Does anyone know Helfrich's home base for recruiting?
That might go a long way toward explaining why Oregon would want him. I know Kelly doesn’t have a lot of natural west coast ties, but Riddle and Hagan are the point men for OC and LA respectively.
Recruits the last couple of years
2009- according to rivals.com – commits: Bakhtiari (CA), QB Evans (CA) and Harris (CO) / targets: QB Wynn (CA), Yarnway (CA)
2008- commits: QB Hansen (CA) / targets: QB Weinke (IL)
2007- commits: QB Ballenger (ID)
from the looks of it, he is mostly a quarterback recruiter until 2009 then it was almost exclusively california. I would say his recruiting record isnt as prestigious Kiesau or Hagan…obviously.
The Ralphie Report - Go Buffs!...All Colorado Buffaloes on SBNation - http://www.ralphiereport.com/
that's not exactly what I meant.
I talked to Helfrich about an OC recruit last year, and he told me that Riddle’s home base was OC. As I understand it, Riddle is respponsible for establishing the relationships with the high school coaches, finding the talent, et cetera. then he’d generally pass off the info to the appropriate position coaches beause obviously, Riddle’s not going to make much of a connection with a Hansen or an Evans. But Riddle’s the one with the relationships, say, with Coach Barnes Sr (Los Alamitos) and Coach Barnes Jr (Tesoro) (I was asking about Preston King).
Of course, the coordinators might not have a home base because of wider spread recruiting responsibilities. I’d love to hear a breakdown of recruiting responsibilities, but I doubt it’ll happen.
by Hallux Valgus on Apr 22, 2009 5:11 PM MDT up reply actions
"I just have to say I wish Oregon would go away. Whether it is battling for recruits or them wanting our coaches (Helfrich and Kiesau), they are annoying"
I have a feeling this isn’t going to happen. Oregon and CU are just too similar. I looked at going to Oregon for college, and Eugene is basically the same as Boulder, just farther from the airport. Anyone who would be attracted to one school will naturally be attracted to the other.
well then we are in trouble in
2 out of 3 events a year.
The Ralphie Report - Go Buffs!...All Colorado Buffaloes on SBNation - http://www.ralphiereport.com/
this is the truth.
And Jackson mentioned that he wanted a sports marketing internship with Nike. And we’re Nike’s JV school, basically. I’m guessing that we’re going to be thoroughly aggravated by Oregon for a while. Maybe we can find some kids who really want an internship at the national earthquake monitoring place. Or that kite store on Pearl Street.
by Hallux Valgus on Apr 22, 2009 5:13 PM MDT up reply actions
Dont forget Celestial Seasonings
I’m sure there are a ton of four star athletes that would like nothing better than to work an evening shift in the peppermint room.
by highlandsbuff on Apr 22, 2009 8:51 PM MDT up reply actions
haha
by Hallux Valgus on Apr 22, 2009 8:56 PM MDT up reply actions
Big difference, Oregon is run by Phil Knight
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"Good, bad, I'm the one with the gun, A-hole" - Ash from Army of Darkness
well yes. That's kind of what I was alluding to.
Boulder and Eugene are pretty much mirror images, culturally. The difference is that Oregon gets a lot more resources from Nike. and teenagers LOVE Nike. So we’re at a disadvantage.
by Hallux Valgus on Apr 22, 2009 8:55 PM MDT up reply actions
So we have our mission.
The Ralphie Report will single handedly make Nike uncool. Who’s with me?!
The Ralphie Report - University of Colorado Athletics
Well, maybe if Crocks become like Nike, then CU can become like Oregon
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"Good, bad, I'm the one with the gun, A-hole" - Ash from Army of Darkness
well, would the football team have to wear crocs then?
That might put us at a dissadvantage…
Anyway, about the Nike thing, yeah, Oregon gets big love from Nike, but I think we sound like crybabies complaining about it because we are probably their #2 school or at least really high up there. Everybody has that same dissadvantage against Oregon, but it’s not like they are the top program in the country because of it.
you're obviously not even trying to understand
In the main post, Irish made the point that it’s annoying having to fight off Oregon at every turn. I took the opportunity to note that the CULTURE at Oregon and the CULTURE at Colorado are remarkably similar. We’re both kind of hippie/ liberal institutions set in a gorgeous natural setting with something of a reputation for debauchery. So any recruit that likes our school will naturally be attracted to Oregon, and vice versa. The big difference is that Oregon has better facilities and more access to a great sports marketing group. That’s as a result of Nike funding.
I’m not complaining about Nike (even though we are NOT their number 2 school, or even close to that high. We’re only #2 when they want to experiment with uniforms, which isn’t at all the same as overall athletic department funding). I’m just pointing out that we will always be fighting with Oregon, and there’s a swoosh shaped hurdle to overcome.
by Hallux Valgus on Apr 23, 2009 8:52 PM MDT up reply actions
what am I not trying to understand?
I agree with your point about the parallels between CU and Oregon but as far as Nike goes they will always win on that front and we just need to move on. CU has plenty to offer potential student athletes. I also think there has just kind of been a perfect storm this year as far as us battling with them for recruits. I certainly don’t consider them to be our #1 recruiting rival or think it’ll be that way in the future.
I don’t know what our funding is from Nike and if you have a list of how much money Nike gives each school then by all means post it, but I do know we have an excellent long-term relationship with them and that they have helped our athletic department quite a bit. You’re the one who said that “we’re Nike’s JV school” up above. Maybe I didn’t understand what you meant but I kind of took that to mean that we’re their #2 school (obviously not money-wise, but relationship-wise).
by nebraskasux on Apr 23, 2009 10:14 PM MDT up reply actions
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