Report: Oregon names former Alabama assistant Mario Cristobal head coach
The Oregon Ducks have had to deal with coaching searches each of the past two offseasons after Willie Taggart left for Florida State after just one year in Eugene.
However, this one was handled quickly and efficiently, with former Alabama OL coach and current Oregon co-offensive coordinator Mario Cristobal landing the full-time job.
Cristobal was set to serve as the team’s interim coach in the Las Vegas Bowl, but instead, he’ll move forward as the permanent head coach, according to a report from Aaron Fentress:
BREAKING: Oregon to name Mario Cristobal new head coach https://t.co/sW25jCtcdc pic.twitter.com/uLXcgYnk4w
— Aaron J. Fentress (@AaronJFentress) December 8, 2017
Cristobal served on Nick Saban’s Alabama coaching staff from 2013 to 2016 before moving on to Oregon this season. He also has previous head coaching experience from his days at FIU.
Cristobal reportedly had the support of Oregon players for the full-time job, so this news likely went over very well in the Ducks’ locker room.
Now, Oregon will keep its fingers crossed that Cristobal will be around for a few years and that the Ducks won’t be on the hunt for a new coach once again at this time next year.
Nice!
Oregon fan here. Everyone seems to like coach Cristobal, especially the players. Just curious if Bama fans think he’ll succeed. Thanks
I don’t think he will last. I wish him well but I don’t think he is HC material. He can recruit but he lacks in managing a program.
I agree with BamaTime. Cristobal is a great recruiter and the players really seem to like him. Honestly I thought he was an average offensive line coach. I certainly don’t feel like he came close to getting the most out of the talent he had to work with at Alabama. Great recruiter but I just don’t see him as being a good hire as head coach especially at a school like Oregon.
I was worried he might follow Taggart to FSU. I’m glad to see he’s not, since he would’ve been a powerful recruiter in south Florida.