Report: Oregon Ducks parting ways with OC Drew Mehringer
· Yahoo Sports
After an abysmal offensive showing and a tough start to the season, the Oregon Ducks are reportedly parting ways with offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, per multiple reports.
The Ducks released an official statement on the matter shortly after the reports surfaced.
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"Drew has been a valued member of this staff since 2022, and I am appreciative of everything he's done for Oregon," said head coach Dan Lanning. "He played a tremendous role in what this program has accomplished over the last several seasons. This was a decision I felt was in the best interest of our football program, as I believe a new direction is necessary to move our offense forward. I thank Drew for his efforts and wish him all the best."
After seven games, it appears that Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning is admitting that he made a mistake. That mistake? Hiring from within the program to replace former offensive coordinator Will Stein, tabbing former tight end coach Drew Mehringer as the next play-caller in Eugene.
On Sunday, following a 21-10 loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini, the Ducks are making a change at play-caller.
This is Mehringer’s first year on the job as OC at Oregon, but his fifth year in the program under Lanning. Before coming to Oregon, he previously held the offensive coordinator job at Rutgers a decade ago, as well as co-OC jobs at multiple stops. His one year calling plays with the Scarlet Knights resulted in Rutgers having one of the worst statistical offenses in the nation.
And so far, the result at Oregon hasn’t been much better. Despite having a Heisman Trophy-contending quarterback and a group of skill players that would start on about 95% of collegiate rosters, if not more, the Ducks have failed to look like the offensive juggernauts that fans have come to expect.
Through seven games, Oregon is averaging just 24.7 points per game against FBS opponents, which ranks 74th in the nation. Their rushing offense (121.5 yards per game) is 99th in the nation, and their passing offense (248.8 yards per game) is just 43rd in the nation.
While all of that may not fall on Mehringer as a play-caller, it’s impossible to say that this offense does not look worse under his tutelage than we’ve seen in years past. There are other coaches who deserve a fair share of the blame — A’lique Terry’s lack of development on the offensive line is glaring, and Koa Ka’ai’s quarterback coaching is suspect thus far — but as the OC, Mehringer is the one to fall on the sword.
We will see where the Ducks go from here in terms of play-calling for the remainder of this season, but it's clear that they will look to bring someone new in this offseason as the offensive coordinator, a job that should be among the most attractive in the nation.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Report: Oregon Ducks parting ways with OC Drew Mehringer