Helfrich Hired. Greatwood Promoted.

by JConant on Apr 30, 2009 7:11 PM PDT in Oregon Ducks Football

Rob Moseley has the complete Oregon press release right here.

It's always huge when a team adds a new offensive coordinator (and in Helfrich's case, he's also QBs coach). But this announcement came with a second twist, the promotion of offensive line coach Steve Greatwood to running game coordinator.

Nice move, Chip Kelly! Greatwood has been acknowledged as one of the best line coaches in the country and was a serious candidate for a head coaching job (Cal Poly, I believe) following Oregon's successful 2008 season. If this helps Chip keep Greatwood in the Oregon family for a few more years, that's fantastic.

Have a read of Moseley's piece and weigh in.

[UPDATE] - Here's some info thrown together from Helfrich's bio:

Mark Helfrich served as offensive coordinator at Colorado for three years, joining the Buff's program when Dan Hawkins became head coach in December 2005.

Prior coaching positions include: QBs coach at Arizona State from 2001-05 (also was passing game coordinator 2002-05); QBs coach at Boise State 1998-2001; offensive graduate assistant at Oregon 1997-98.

The bulk of Helfrich's success was during his time at ASU, where his QBs put up numbers that ranked in the top three of the Pac-10 all five years he was there, leading the league twice (2004, 2005) and finishing second in 2001.

TOP PLAYERS COACHED: All-conference Pac-10 Performers (1): Andrew Walter (ASU-second-team). NFL Players/Draft Picks (3): Ryan Dinwiddie (BSU), Bart Hendricks (BSU), Walter.

RECORD: Helfrich has coached in 122 Division I-A games as a full-time coach, owning a record of 67-55 (8-17 at Colorado, 26-10 at Boise State, 33-28 at Arizona State); he has coached in seven bowl games (on the winning end five times).

Tweet Comment 13 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Fantastic.

If there’s one guy that deserved a promotion in-house, it’s Steve “Your sister thoroughly enjoyed my” Greatwood. A remarkably underrated coach who we are very fortunate to still have. I feel 1000 times more confident about reloading our O-line this year with Greatwood than with any other.

So… “running game coordinator”? What does this necessarily denote?

Also, I’m pretty confident Chip knows what he’s doing with this, and I’m excited for a new breath Helfrich may breath into the passing game. I feel a little shaky on this whole “coming here to learn our system” thing, as I’d rather our higherups didn’t have to learn on the fly, but maybe I’m misjudging this. Either way, the exciting new changing of guards is continuing, and you can’t say our program has gotten dull or aged at all – another young hire, 45.

We will just have to see with this one!

Addicted To Quack [dot] com; Dear Joevan, Develop motor skills. Love, ATQ.

by qrsouther on Apr 30, 2009 7:32 PM PDT reply actions

That sure was a clunky paragraph.

I need to devote my time to either ATQ or the Blazers and no in-betweens.

Addicted To Quack [dot] com; Dear Joevan, Develop motor skills. Love, ATQ.

by qrsouther on Apr 30, 2009 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions

While I love the Greatwood move

It seems like he is someone who might be a bit under-qualified, but I like the amount of positives that he brings to the table as far as developing passers. It is a weak link at Oregon that was trending up and Helfrich should help establish a better passing game to go with a sound running attack. Greatwood’s promotion helps take a bit of the pressure of the overall offense from Helfrich and he has the experience to succeed.

Moseley’s commenters made a point about our offense maybe taking a Pro-Spread move, meaning that Helfrich will toss a few more Pro-Style type of plays in the mix with the spread. Who knows? I think this will end up being a good hire in the long run.

May we hand you your taints on a silver platter...

by 071903 on Apr 30, 2009 11:21 PM PDT reply actions

I think that would not be prudent at all seeing the athletes recruited into our finesse-spread system now.

But maybe I’m just biased.

Addicted To Quack [dot] com; Dear Joevan, Develop motor skills. Love, ATQ.

by qrsouther on Apr 30, 2009 11:59 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree with that

I think if they do, it may be subtle changes, perhaps for more deep passing threats? I can get use to that.

However, I might freak out a bit if I see Masoli under Center instead of in Shotgun formation…

May we hand you your taints on a silver platter...

by 071903 on May 1, 2009 3:14 AM PDT up reply actions

I seriously doubt there will be any changes...

While Helfrich has the title of offensive coordinator, he’s going to be focusing on pretty much passing only, and coaching the QBs. This is still Chip’s offense, and will be run Chips way.

--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog

by jtlight on May 1, 2009 6:24 AM PDT up reply actions

Thank You!!!

You can have Helfrich! His playcalling literally cost the Buffs games last year. For example, CU was playing at Texas A & M last year, was in the lead and had 2nd and Goal from the 2 yard line. What would you do? Probably run it up the gut twice (or even thrice), especially when you’ve just run down the field. Instead, Helfrich runs a reverse that goes for a loss, now 3rd down is a passing situation and CU throws a pick in the end zone. Momentum swings, CU ends up losing the game.

by BuffsFan99 on May 1, 2009 10:35 AM PDT reply actions

Good thing he probably won’t be calling plays…

--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog

by jtlight on May 1, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions

That's hardly a necessarily bad idea of a playcall...

Addicted To Quack [dot] com; Dear Joevan, Develop motor skills. Love, ATQ.

by qrsouther on May 3, 2009 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions

i disagree. calling an interception is a terrible playcall. he should call for pass plays to his own team.

It's spelled "T-A-K-I-M-O-T-S-C-H-M-O-E."

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 May 3, 2009 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Unless you're Ropert.

Ropert just does that to lower his QB rating to a depth at which people won’t suspect him of HGH or divine intervention.

Addicted To Quack [dot] com; Dear Joevan, Develop motor skills. Love, ATQ.

by qrsouther on May 3, 2009 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions

wait, roper’s calling plays now? cpassmore is gonna throw a FIT!

It's spelled "T-A-K-I-M-O-T-S-C-H-M-O-E."

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 May 3, 2009 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions