Bellotti Bumps
By Mike Bellotti is stepping down as Oregon’s football coach to become the school’s athletic director, and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will be promoted to head coach.
Bellotti, who has coached the Ducks for the last 14 seasons, takes over his new position July 1, replacing athletic director Pat Kilkenny. Kelly becomes coach on March 30, the opening day of spring practice.
The moves first were announced in December, but no timetable was set for the transition.
Bellotti will serve in the interim as senior counselor to Kilkenny, who will step down June 30.
Oregon’s athletic department scheduled a news conference Saturday to discuss the transition. Bellotti would not comment until then.
Bellotti, 58, has gone 116-55 as coach of the Ducks. This past season Oregon went 10-3 with a 42-31 win over Oklahoma State in the Holiday Bowl. The Ducks finished the season ranked No. 10.
Not really much question that Bellotti was the finest head coach the Ducks have ever had.