Coaching Possiblities

The Chip Kelly-era at Oregon is over and changes are in store. While no one has any real evidence on who might be the next coach at Oregon, this is as good as time as any to speculate.

Names to consider, some realistic and some not so realistic:

Mark Helfrich: Just finished his fourth year as offensive coordinator for the Ducks. Prior to that was offensive coordinator at Colorado. Helfrich has no head coaching experience but then neither did Chip Kelly prior to 2009.

Gary Patterson: Has been the TCU headman since 2000 and has won 110 games as the Horned Frogs head coach. Interestingly during his 30-year coaching career he made a stop with the Oregon Lightning Bolts, of the old Professional Spring Football League.

Urban Meyer: One of the most successful coaches in all of college football. Meyer has won national championship at Florida in 2008. Currently is the headman at Ohio State (since 2012). Was spotted in sitting next to Phil Knight, Oregon Alum and major donor during the 2013 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., on Jan. 3, 2013.

Tony Dungy: Won Super Bowl XLI in 2006 as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. His son Erik is a wide receiver for the Ducks.

Chris Petersen: What would a coaching search be without mentioning Chris Petersen? Petersen beat the Ducks twice as the head coach at Boise State. First at Autzen Stadium when Kelly was the offensive coordinator under Mike Bellotti in 2008. Then during Kelly's first game as a head coach in 2009. Petersen has strong ties with the state of Oregon. While he has been at Boise State since 2001 (offensive coordinator 2001-05 and HC 2006-present) Petersen was at Portland State 1993-94 then at Oregon 1995-2000 as the wide receiver coach. His wife is from Eugene.

Jeff Tedford: Was the head coach at California for 10 years from 2002 until 2012. Was Oregon's offensive coordinator from 1998 until 2001.

No doubt more names serious or otherwise will be added as Oregon seeks a replacement for Chip Kelly.