Thank you, Coach Bellotti

by jtlight on Mar 13, 2009 4:00 PM PDT in Oregon Ducks Football

Mike Bellotti will be retiring as the head coach of Oregon football before March 30, and will pave the way for the 3rd head coach of Oregon football in my lifetime.

He retires as the most prolific coach in the history of Oregon football. He coached the best team in Oregon history, and was the most consistent coach in Oregon history. In 15 seasons, he posted 14 years with more wins than losses. He led Oregon to their first 10, and 11 win seasons. He brought in some of the best players to don the green and yellow. Ted Miller passed along an interesting statistic: Mike Bellotti has had a hand in 28% of Oregon's 558 victories as a football program.

While he has endured his share of criticism, he has been great for the University of Oregon. He took the reigns from Rich Brooks, and led Oregon to heights unimagined 15 years ago. With his recruiting skill, he has put Oregon in a position to compete for the Pac-10 title for the foreseeable future.

I am sad that Mike Bellotti will no longer be standing on the sidelines on Saturday's, arms crossed and looking intently on the field. Under him, the Oregon football team was always on an even keel and he was constantly in control.

Because of this, he will be a great AD. He has always delegated well, and been a great manager, and he will take those skills upstairs, to help lead Oregon to even greater athletic glory.

Thanks for the memories Coach Bellotti. You'll be missed, but we're excited to see what you can do in the bigger office.

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Comments

That was a good article by Miller until he mentioned the phrase of which we do not speak of.

It's spelled "S-H-U-T-U-P"

by JShufelt on Mar 13, 2009 4:16 PM PDT reply actions

I was hoping for one more season out of Bellotti...

but I feel he wouldn’t leave unless he was 100% confident that Chip Kelly has what it takes to continue to make the Ducks winners.

Can’t wait for 2009 season!

Thanks Mike, I really feel you should have got your National title in 2007 but it just didn’t happen.

by EazyRider on Mar 13, 2009 4:29 PM PDT reply actions

Or 2001

Okay, maybe we would’ve gotten rolled up by that DA U killdozer, but at least a shot would have been nice.

2007 was the greatest rollercoaster ride of all time. And man, I went to too many games in 2004 to be healthy (freshmen are always stupid).

by Doug-e-Fresh on Mar 13, 2009 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions

I feel like we're in good hands

but I feel sad and somewhat disappointed for some reason.

by fowlball on Mar 13, 2009 5:18 PM PDT reply actions

Here here. Excellent post.

Petey’s the new dean of the Pac-10…when reached for comment, all he said was “Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you.”

by Freeing Ray Schafer on Mar 13, 2009 5:21 PM PDT reply actions

Good post, Jared. :-)

Thanks for the memories Coach Bellotti. You’ll be missed, but we’re excited to see what you can do in the bigger office.

Well put!

by Pac10Rivalry on Mar 13, 2009 8:38 PM PDT reply actions

Wow i can not belive it!!!!

I knew there was a possiblity but didnt think it would happen WOW

by Duck4Lif3 on Mar 13, 2009 9:53 PM PDT reply actions

Sad day

but I am sure that CK will lead the Ducks to many happy days. I predict some untimely growing pains next year but our team is going to be good and Chip could be great.

Ducks Go!
Get well Rudy!

by trumpetduck on Mar 13, 2009 11:10 PM PDT reply actions

I got goosebumps

and I held back tears.

by Ruprect on Mar 14, 2009 3:36 AM PDT reply actions

sad to see bellotti go

he has done great thing for our program. now i want to see MIKE BELLOTTI FIELD!!!

by airjordanxi on Mar 14, 2009 2:01 PM PDT reply actions

Especially if Kentucky re-names theirs after Brooks, as I've heard rumored

It might be the house that Rich Brooks built, but Bellotti added on a few wings and did all the interior decorating, so to speak. I guess we’re fortunate to have so many great men around our athletics department that we’re running out of things to name after them!

by Doug-e-Fresh on Mar 14, 2009 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions

I say name the light green turf for Brooks, and the dark green turf for Bellotti.

It's spelled "M-A-R-C-H-I-N-G-B-A-N-D."

I support inroywetrust in his support of The VD Special in his support of me supporting Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Mar 14, 2009 5:39 PM PDT reply actions