Even though it's the offseason, we still got some quack:
- The big news of the day is Mike Bellotti reportedly asking for $7 million after being essentially forced out by UO President Richard Lariviere. While this seems extreme, I view this as non-news. This is yet another repercussion of the lack of a written contract. Based on Bellotti's oral agreement, this is what Bellotti felt he was owed. This is really a problem that was 20 years in the making. No significant employee should be working without contract for precisely these situations. For all of the issues, I'm happy with how this has been handled by both Bellotti and Lariviere. Hopefully we'll never be in this situation again.
- Oregon baseball has risen in the polls, though only by one spot this week. The Ducks are now 21st in the Baseball America poll. The Ducks will have a great chance to rise further, and possibly move into a position to host a regional, with strong showings against OSU and Cal this week. Both teams have winning records overall, but are in the bottom half of the conference, while Cal is currently in the midst of a 7 game losing streak, which included being swept by WSU and UCLA.
- It's been an exciting offseason for the Pac-10, with expansion talk. One item recently discussed is the possibility of the Pac-10 adding a championship game without adding more teams. While this is currently not allowed by the NCAA, the Pac-10 could petition for a chance, however, Larry Scott is denying that the Pac-10 will push for this rule to be repealed, for now. If the Pac-10 could add a championship game, that may make expansion less attractive to the conference.
- Oregon softball outfielder Shelley Deadmond has a blog post at GoDucks.com about the regional sweep. The Ducks did what they needed to do, and made the big plays to win the weekend. I'm excited for super-regionals to start, and see just how far the team can go.
- Oregon track is competing in the NCAA regionals this weekend, and will be looking to qualify as many athletes as possible for the NCAA championships (which will be in Eugene). GoDucks.tv has a number of interviews with team members, and this one with Vin Lananna.
- Lastly, Oregon is still waiting to hear the status of Kenny Payne, though at this point, it's widely assume that Payne will be leaving the Ducks for Kentucky. While this has led some to overreact, I like dvieira's comment in yesterday's quack fix. Payne has done a good job, no doubt, but he is not irreplaceable. For all his recruiting prowess, it obviously didn't help the W-L column over the past few years. If Payne leaves, I'll wish him nothing but the best, and look forward to what Dana Altman can do.
What are your thoughts on Payne? Leave 'em below. GO DUCKS!