Oregon defensive coordinator Don Pellum demoted to linebackers coach

Oregon defensive coordinator Don Pellum has been demoted to linebackers coach, the school announced on Monday.

Oregon defensive coordinator Don Pellum has been demoted to linebackers coach, the school announced on Monday.

The change comes after Oregon finished 116th in total defense this season, and 73rd in rushing defense.

In Oregon’s 47–41 overtime loss to TCU in the Alamo Bowl on Jan. 2, the Ducks were leading the Horned Frogs 31–0 at halftime, before allowing 47 points and playing without starting quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., who was sidelined after a helmet-to-helmet collusion. 

Pellum took over as defensive coordinator after Nick Aliotti retired at the conclusion of the 2013 season. Before serving as the defensive coordinator, Pellum was Oregon’s linebackers coach from 2000-13.

“Don is a great man who has helped shape the culture and growth of Oregon Football in several different capacities for nearly 30 years,” head coach Mark Helfrich said. “He’s committed, as we all are, to being part of the solution to improve the end results on the field.”

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The Ducks’ current outside linebackers coach, Erik Chinander, has accepted a position to become the defensive coordinator at another program, according to the statement from Oregon. Chinander is rumored to be the new defensive coordinator at UCF, reports FootballScoop.com, under former Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost, who was hired as the new head coach for UCF on Dec. 1.

Oregon will begin a national search for a new defensive coordinator immediately.

Last season, the Ducks fell to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff national championship. Oregon finished the season 9–4 after falling to TCU.