Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Crashes trigger roadside fires ... History cleared for takeoff ... Jacksonville chamber, business association to merge ... Crashes trigger roadside fires ... History cleared for takeoff ... Jacksonville chamber, business association to merge ... COLLEGE FOOTBALL Hall of Fame welcomes Bellotti Comment By Ryan Thorburn Eugene Register-Guard MailTribune.com By Ryan Thorburn Eugene Register-Guard Posted Dec. 10, 2014 at 5:22 PM By Ryan Thorburn Eugene Register-Guard Posted Dec. 10, 2014 at 5:22 PM » Social News Mike Bellotti described his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame as a humbling experience. The winningest coach in Oregon history joined Len Casanova (1951-66) and Hugo Bezdek (1906, 1913-17) in the Hall on Tuesday night during the National Football Foundation’s dinner ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. “I think as a coach you recognize you’re there because of all the people involved,” Bellotti said during a joint press conference with the other members of the 2014 class. “Every single player that ever played for you, every single coach that you worked with that you stole an idea from, every administrator or booster that said, ‘Yes, I believe in this young man, I’m going to entrust our program to him.’ “Those are things that humble me.” Bellotti compiled a 116-55 record during 14 years as Oregon’s head coach. He was also the Ducks’ offensive coordinator from 1989-1994 under Rich Brooks. After capping the 2001 season with a Fiesta Bowl win over Colorado, Bellotti’s Ducks were ranked No. 2 in the final polls. Joey Harrington finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting that year. “Mike had a wonderful way of relating to everybody,” Harrington said in May. “You see a lot of coaches today that pick one side or the other. They’re either the dictator, my way or highway, or a quote, unquote player’s coach, trying to be friends. Mike had an incredible way of doing it all. He could be your friend, he could be a disciplinarian, he could be a voice of reason and for me a voice of calm.” Bellotti’s career record as a head coach was 137-80-2, including a 21-25-2 mark in five seasons at Chico (Calif.) State from 1984-88. Now an ESPN college football analyst, Bellotti was asked about Oregon drawing defending national champion Florida State in the College Football Playoff on Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Marcus Mariota is expected to win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday in New York. Counterpart Jameis Winston is the reigning Heisman winner but was not invited to this year’s ceremony. “Both teams with exceptional quarterbacks. Mariota has been a little bit more consistent. Jameis might still be the best quarterback in the fourth quarter to have if you’re behind,” Bellotti said. “Unfortunately for Oregon, Florida State has probably discovered a running game and playing a little bit better defense … but Oregon’s offense is practically unstoppable. There’s some other issue about the defense they’ll have to overcome for this game. “I think it’s a great matchup and one I’m going to be excited to see.” Oregon players enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame are J.W. Beckett (1913-16), John Kitzmiller (1928-30), Norm Van Brocklin (1947-48), Mel Renfro (1961-63) and Bobby Moore (1969-71). Notable Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman, who used three different starting quarterbacks during the Buckeyes’ Big Ten championship season due to injuries, won the Broyles Award on Tuesday. Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost was one of the five finalists for the award given to the nation’s top assistant. Mariota, who is from Honolulu, was the inaugural recipient of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. Mariota is up for the Maxwell Award (college player of the year) and Davey O’Brien Award (nation’s best quarterback). Ekpre-Olomu is trying to become the first Oregon player to win the Jim Thorpe Award. By Ryan Thorburn Eugene Register-Guard MailTribune.com By Ryan Thorburn Eugene Register-Guard Posted Dec. 10, 2014 at 5:22 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501