Yesterday Oregon's Athletic Director Mike Bellotti has resigned the position he held since July of 2009. Bellotti will be joining ESPN as a football sports analyst.
Bellotti began his career as in Duck as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 1989 and during a 14 year run as HC became Oregon's winningest coach in Duck history with a record of 116-55. The 2001 seaon would be the crown jewel in a long and illustrious career, the Ducks won 11 games and finished off the season with a 38-16 win over Colorado in the Fiesta Bowl leaving them ranked #2 at seasons end.
Bellotti's tenure as Oregon AD has been a tough year marred by many player mis conduct issues dating back to the 2009 football season opener against Boise State with infamous LaGarette Blount punch thrown at Boise State's Byron Hout after the game was over.
These last two months have been very challenging ofr Oregon. Bellottti has had to dismiss the basketball coach for a less than stellar hoops performance and falling attendance.
Adding to the AD's headaches is incidents involving 9 football players of which 5 were removed from the team. Topping the list is Oregon's starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli suspended for the 2010 season for his participation in stealing lap top computers from a frat house and star freshman running back LaMichael James 1 game suspension for harassment.
It is no wonder the Coach/AD has decided to make a change and joined ESPN. As an analyst he calls the game and goes home. ESPN is excited about their newest addition and rightly so. Bellotti brings alot to the table, insights into the college game that many others do not possess. We will be able to see Bellottti April 17th when he helps announce the Auburn Spring Game.
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