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The Oregon Ducks have filled their Defensive Coordinator vacancy that was recently vacated by former DC Jim Leavitt. In his stead, Head Coach Mario Cristobal has hired Andy Avalos from Boise State.
Breaking: Boise State DC Andy Avalos will leave to take the same job at Oregon.
— Dave Southorn (@davesouthorn) February 26, 2019
Avalos was a linebacker from California for the Broncos from 2001 to 2004. He steadily rose up the BSU staff from his hiring as the defensive line coach in 2012 and got the DC job in 2016. In the 2018 season, BSU’s defense was ranked 39th in total defense, 35th in scoring defense, 12th in sacks, and forced 16 fumbles along with seven interceptions.
According to 247 Sports, he has four three star signees and one four star signee to his credit.
During his tenure with the Broncos, he has had multiple players who have graduated to the NFL ranks. They are as follows: three defensive ends, two defensive tackles, and two linebackers. Furthermore, they break down as two first round picks, two second round picks, one third round pick, and two sixth round picks.
As a defensive coordinator, here are some numbers to back up his great credentials as a play caller and developer of talent
#BoiseState with Andy Avalos as DC…
— Jay Tust (@KTVBSportsGuy) February 26, 2019
2016
• 6 All-MW players
2017
• 9 All-MW players
• MW Def. Player of the Year
• Curtis Weaver led MW in sacks (11.0)
• 26 forced TO (t16th in FBS)
2018
• 6 All-MW players
• 24 forced TO (t20th in FBS)
• 3.0 sacks/game (t10th in FBS)
Coach Leavitt rebuilt the foundation for a great Ducks defense, now it’s incumbent on Coach Avalos to build upon the work that Leavitt did in Eugene.
If you want to check out hythloday’s fantastic work on Coach A, you can do so here!
What’s the connection to the current Ducks staff?
Besides the obvious one in the Las Vegas Bowl from the 2017 season where his defense handed the Oregon offense a not so pleasant holiday gift, there are several instances where now colleagues have met him across the sidelines.
The most recent connection is to newly hired wide receivers coach Jovon Bouknight when they played Utah State last season.
He has several ties to the former Washington State contingent on the Ducks staff via playing the Cougars during the 2016 season against Coach Joe, RB Coach Jim Mastro, and LB Coach Ken Wilson.
He’s very familiar with Coach Wilson as his team has played against at both Washington State and against Nevada during the 2012 season.
Coach Avalos also matched wits against OC Marcus Arroyo during the 2013 season when Arroyo was at Southern Miss as the OC there.
Welcome to Oregon, Coach Avalos!!