NCAA Football Oregon DucksPac 12 Football

5 Reasons Why NFL Teams Will Talk Themselves Out of Oregon’s Mark Helfrich

Fresh Videos

By @Alex_Drude

5 Ways NFL Teams Will Talk Themselves Out Of Oregon's Mark Helfrich

Oregon Ducks coach Mark Helfrich at media day for the 2015 Rose Bowl at the L.A. Hotel Downtown.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

For being in the first-ever CFB playoff, Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich ought to be drawing interest from NFL teams. But he’s not. Not seriously, at least. Here are five ways NFL teams are talking themselves out of pursuing Helfrich for head coaching jobs and the counter-arguments.

5. The Chip Kelly Factor

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

5. The Chip Kelly Factor

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

There’s a bit of backlash against Oregon’s former head coach during his second season in the NFL. Philly didn’t make the playoffs, and some people who should know better are blaming it on Chip Kelly even though the Eagles won 10 games for the second straight year. Uh, remember going 4-12? Because Helfrich is still seen as “Chip’s man,” the easily discouraged NFL teams will back off.

4. Perception That He’s Winning With Players He Didn’t Recruit

Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich on the sidelines during the first half against UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

4. Perception That He’s Winning With Players He Didn’t Recruit

Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich on the sidelines during the first half against UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Related to the Chip Kelly factor, there’s always a perception that the new head coach didn’t recruit the players he has. Except that Helfrich was Oregon’s offensive coordinator under Kelly, and he did recruit most of the offense -- especially the biggest part of the offense (more on that later). And Royce Freeman is a true freshman, so he’s all Helfrich’s doing. Freeman just might break every freshman rushing record in Oregon’s book.

3. It’s the Second Year Of His First Head Coaching Job

Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich argues a non-call during action against the California Golden Bears in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Ducks won 59-41.
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

3. It’s the Second Year Of His First Head Coaching Job

Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich argues a non-call during action against the California Golden Bears in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Ducks won 59-41.
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

A silly excuse. Every coach had a first head coaching job. So Helfrich’s is at Oregon. Vince Lombardi’s first major head coaching job was the Green Bay Packers. The Packers made the NFL title game in Lombardi’s second season and won it in his third. Is that an indictment against Lombardi or the teams that passed him over?

2. He Doesn’t Want To Leave Oregon

Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich talks with an official against the California Golden Bears at Autzen Stadium.
Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

2. He Doesn’t Want To Leave Oregon

Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich talks with an official against the California Golden Bears at Autzen Stadium.
Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

As the first Oregon native to coach the Ducks in some 70 years, there’s a feeling that Helfrich wouldn’t be tempted by any NFL offer. While he has the job he’s wanted since the day he got into coaching, even enjoying it during driving rainstorms, that doesn’t mean that feeling won’t fade someday. Ask Oregon State about Corvallis native Mike Riley when you get a chance.

1. He’s Riding The Coattails Of Marcus Mariota

Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich and quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) talk before the game against the Oregon State Beavers
Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

1. He’s Riding The Coattails Of Marcus Mariota

Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich and quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) talk before the game against the Oregon State Beavers
Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Mentioned earlier, this couldn't be further from the truth. Marcus Mariota is so good precisely because of working with Helfrich, a former college QB himself. From before the day Mariota came to Eugene, Helfrich has been a part of his development. Helfrich helped recruit him, was his QB coach for three years and still meets with him individually. Mariota wouldn’t be close to the QB and man he is today without Helfrich’s guidance.

Alex Drude is a Pac-12 writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Alex_Drude. “Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google+.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on