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Mark Helfrich (American football)

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Mark Helfrich
refer to caption
Helfrich in 2017
No. 14
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1973-10-28) October 28, 1973 (age 51)
Coos Bay, Oregon, U.S.
Career information
High school:Marshfield (Coos Bay)
College:Southern Oregon
Undrafted:1995
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
  • Southern Oregon (1996)
    Running backs coach
  • Oregon (1997)
    Graduate assistant
  • Vienna Vikings (1997)
    Offensive coordinator
  • Boise State (1998–2000)
    Quarterbacks coach
  • Arizona State (2001–2002)
    Quarterbacks coach
  • Arizona State (2003–2005)
    Passing game coordinator & quarterbacks coach
  • Colorado (2006–2008)
    Offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach
  • Oregon (2009–2012)
    Offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach
  • Oregon (2013–2016)
    Head coach
  • Chicago Bears (2018–2019)
    Offensive coordinator
Career highlights and awards
Head coaching record
Career:37–16
Record at Pro Football Reference

Mark August Helfrich (born October 28, 1973) is an American former football coach who is an analyst for Fox Sports. He was the head coach for the University of Oregon from 2013 to 2016. He most recently served as the offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears from 2018 to 2019. He played professionally in the Austrian Football League (AFL).

Playing career

Recruited out of Marshfield High School in Coos Bay, Oregon, Helfrich was offered an opportunity to walk on at the University of Oregon; however, he decided to attend Southern Oregon instead,[1] where he was the starting quarterback from 1992 to 1995 and was a NAIA All-American.[2] Helfrich saw his most successful season in 1993 as he set school records for passing yards, touchdowns, and total offense.[3]

In the winter and spring of 1997, he played quarterback professionally, while also serving as assistant offensive coordinator in Europe for the Vienna Austria Vikings. The Vikings reached the Austrian Football League semi finals that season. [4]

Coaching career

Early coaching years

Initially starting graduate school with his sights set on becoming an orthopedic surgeon,[5] Helfrich's coaching career ignited at Oregon as a graduate assistant working closely under then offensive coordinator, Dirk Koetter.[6] When Koetter was hired as head coach at Boise State in 1998, the 24-year-old Helfrich went with him as the quarterbacks coach.[7] At Boise State Helfrich coached Broncos quarterback Bart Hendricks. Under Helfrich's development, Hendricks won Big West Conference Player of the Year in 1999 and 2000 and guided the Broncos to the fourth best passing offense in the nation in 2000.[8]

Helfrich followed Koetter to Arizona State when Koetter became the head coach of the Sun Devils. Under the coaching of Helfrich, Andrew Walter broke nearly every Arizona State passing record and John Elway's Pac-10 touchdown record.[9] Walter would go on to be drafted in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Dirk Koetter would later praise Helfrich for his coaching abilities, "He can do it all in his head. He doesn't have to draw the pictures on the board (…) not many people can do that. He sees the game through the quarterback's eyes. We all have ideas, but if your quarterback can't execute those ideas, they are lines on a paper. Mark is as smart a football guy as I know."[7]

In 2006, Helfrich joined the Colorado staff to become the youngest offensive coordinator in college football on the BCS level at the age of 32.[10] His three seasons at Colorado were a challenge as he developed the Buffaloes dismal offense into a modest improvement.[9] After the 2006 season, Mike Bellotti contacted Helfrich about possibly joining Oregon, but Helfrich declined to leave Colorado after only one season; Chip Kelly was hired instead.[11] Two years later, Helfrich was named Oregon's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, replacing Chip Kelly after he was promoted to head coach.[4]

Oregon

Offensive coordinator (2009–2012)

During Helfrich's four seasons as Oregon's offensive coordinator the offense ranked highly nationally in several offensive categories and became well known for their extremely fast-paced offense built around speed. Although Chip Kelly called the plays on offense, Helfrich still played an integral role in Oregon's system.[12] He had a large amount of involvement in the game planning, scripting, and coaching on a weekly basis while having a high amount of input in what plays are called and why they are called.[13]

Kelly spoke highly of his protégé, "He's really, really smart and has great people skills. Sometimes, smart people can't get their point across, but he's a great communicator. When I hire people, I want to hire very, very smart people. I wanted somebody who came from a different system. I didn't want a yes-man. I wanted someone who would bring new ideas to our system."[5]

With Helfrich coordinating under Chip Kelly, the Ducks played in four straight BCS bowls from 2009 to 2012, won three straight Pac-12 Conference championships,[14] and continuously energized college football with one of the nation's best offenses in scoring, rushing, and total offense in each of those four seasons. As offensive coordinator during the Kelly era, the offense averaged 44.7 points per game with an average of 283.4 rushing yards and an average of 500.7 yards of total offense. Oregon's offense in 2012 was hailed as its best ever[15] as they averaged 49.6 points per game with an average of 537.4 yards of total offense with 315.2 of those yards per game from rushing.[16]

As quarterbacks coach, Helfrich was instrumental in the development of the quarterbacks that played under his tutelage at Oregon. In 2009, Jeremiah Masoli's leadership improved as he led Oregon to the 2010 Rose Bowl. The following season sophomore Darron Thomas guided an undefeated Oregon team to the 2011 BCS National Championship Game. Thomas finished his career 23–3 as a starter with a school-record 66 touchdown passes[17] and led the Ducks to a 45–38 victory over #10 Wisconsin in the 2012 Rose Bowl. The 2012 season showcased Marcus Mariota as the first freshman to start a season opener for the Ducks in 22 seasons.[18] He led the Ducks to a 12–1 record while being named All-Pac-12 Conference First Team,[19] Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year,[19] and winning the 2013 Fiesta Bowl Offensive MVP Award as he guided the Ducks to a 35–17 victory over #5 Kansas State.[20]

Helfrich was recognized for his impact on the Ducks' offensive success as he was named by FootballScoop as its National Quarterbacks Coach of the Year in 2010[21] and 2012,[22] in addition to being one of three finalists as its national offensive coordinator of the year honor.[4]

Rumors of Chip Kelly's departure from college football for the NFL were constant during his tenure as Oregon's coach. Kelly refused to accept the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offer as head coach weeks after the 2012 Rose Bowl victory because he couldn't get a promise from Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens assuring him that Helfrich would be his successor.[23] When Kelly began to interview for numerous NFL head coaching positions after Oregon's 2013 Fiesta Bowl victory, it was rumored that a succession plan was put into place for Helfrich to be the next head coach of the Ducks if Kelly were to ever leave.[24] On January 16, 2013, Kelly left Oregon to become the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.[25]

Head coach (2013–2016)

On January 20, 2013, Helfrich accepted the offer from the University of Oregon to become the head coach of the Ducks.[4] As the successor to Chip Kelly, Helfrich's promotion continued an Oregon tradition that would later end when Helfrich was fired after the 2016 season. He was the third consecutive Oregon offensive coordinator promoted to head coach. Before Kelly replaced Mike Bellotti in 2009, Bellotti succeeded Rich Brooks in 1995.[26] Since Brooks' hire in 1977, Helfrich was just the fourth head coach at Oregon.[27] The first Oregon native to become head coach of the Ducks since 1942,[28] Helfrich described coaching at the University of Oregon as being the pinnacle of his career.[29]

2013 season

In his first season as head coach, Helfrich had the task of trying to emerge from the shadow of Chip Kelly.[30] He departed from his predecessor's "blur" offense and implemented a more balanced attack that included a skilled passing game, resulting in an efficient offense that continued to score points and break offensive records.[31]

Despite finishing with an 11–2 record and a top-ten final season ranking, Helfrich's first season leading the Ducks was considered a letdown.[32] Losses to #6 Stanford[33] and unranked Arizona[34] (Oregon's first loss to an unranked opponent since 2008) kept the Ducks from reaching a fifth-consecutive BCS bowl berth. Helfrich did, however, lead his team to victory over Texas in the 2013 Alamo Bowl, dominating the Longhorns 30–7 in Mack Brown's final game as Texas head coach.[35]

2014 season

In Helfrich's second season, the Ducks won a school-record 13 games and reached the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship.[36] Quarterback Marcus Mariota became the first Oregon player to win the Heisman Trophy.[37]

The season began with Oregon defeating No. 7 Michigan State, 46–27, ending the defending Big Ten and Rose Bowl-champion Spartans 11-game winning streak.[38] After defeating No. 8 Arizona, 51–13, in the 2014 Pac-12 Football Championship Game,[39] the Ducks played in the inaugural College Football Playoff, where they defeated the No. 3 Florida State Seminoles, 59–20, in the Playoff Semifinal Rose Bowl Game and ended the defending national champions 29-game winning streak.[40] Oregon advanced to the College Football Championship Game against the Ohio State Buckeyes and lost, 42–20.[41]

The Ducks finished the season with an overall 13–2 record and the No. 2 ranking in the final polls for the third time in program history. It was announced on February 9, 2015, that Helfrich had signed a five-year contract extension worth $17.5 million.[42]

2015 season

Helfrich's third season began and ended with historic losses. The Ducks early-season 42-point loss to Utah came with a total of 62 points allowed, the most points ever given up by the Ducks at home in Autzen Stadium.[43] After a 3–3 start, Oregon fell out of the top 25 poll rankings for the first time since 2009[44] and started the season with two losses in September for the first time in 11 years.[45]

Despite the rough start, Helfrich's team bounced back to win six straight games.[46] Following back-to-back victories over #7 Stanford[47] and #22 USC,[48] the Ducks were selected to play No. 11 TCU in the Alamo Bowl.[49]

The Ducks dominated TCU in the first half of the Alamo Bowl by scoring at will on consecutive drives and led 31–0 at halftime.[50] However, Oregon's offense and defense collapsed in the second half after losing starting quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. to a head injury.[51] TCU scored on every second-half possession and rallied for the biggest comeback in college football bowl game history to beat Oregon, 47–41, in triple overtime.[52]

For the first time since 2007 the Ducks failed to win 10 games and finished with a 9–4 overall record.[50] Following the Alamo Bowl loss, Helfrich demoted defensive coordinator Don Pellum to linebackers coach after Oregon's defense regressed to finish last in the Pac-12 in total defense and ranked 93rd or worse nationally in eight defensive categories.[53]

2016 season

Prior to the season, Helfrich made multiple adjustments to his coaching staff. After Scott Frost resigned as offensive coordinator in order to become the head coach at UCF in early December 2015,[54] Helfrich promoted wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Matt Lubick to offensive coordinator in early January 2016.[55] Following the Alamo Bowl loss, Don Pellum was demoted to linebackers coach, replacing Erik Chinander, who left to become the defensive coordinator for Frost at UCF.[56] In mid-January 2016, David Yost was hired as Oregon's passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach.[57] Replacing Pellum as defensive coordinator was former Michigan head football coach Brady Hoke, who was hired on January 16.[58]

Helfrich and Oregon agreed to part ways on November 29, 2016 following a 4–8 season, Oregon's worst record in 25 years and first losing season since 2004.[59] It also saw the first non-sellout crowds at Autzen Stadium since 2002.

Chicago Bears

On January 12, 2018, Helfrich was hired by the Chicago Bears to serve as the offensive coordinator.[60]

Although Helfrich was not the play-caller, the Bears ended the 2019 season with the 29th-ranked offense and an 8–8 record. He was fired two days after the season.[61][62]

Broadcasting career

After departing from Oregon, Helfrich spent the 2017 season as an analyst for Fox Sports.[60] He joined Fox Sports again in 2020 after his termination from the Bears coaching staff.[63]

Awards

  • 2010 National Quarterbacks Coach of the Year (FootballScoop)
  • 2012 National Quarterbacks Coach of the Year (FootballScoop)

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Oregon Ducks (Pac-12 Conference) (2013–2016)
2013 Oregon 11–2 7–2 T–1st (North) W Alamo 9 9
2014 Oregon 13–2 8–1 1st (North) W Rose†, L CFP NCG† 2 2
2015 Oregon 9–4 7–2 2nd (North) L Alamo 20 19
2016 Oregon 4–8 2–7 6th (North)
Oregon: 37–16 24–12
Total: 37–16
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

  1. ^ "Ducks stay close to home to fill coaching holes – Sports – Eugene, Oregon". registerguard.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  2. ^ Schnell, Lindsay (December 29, 2011). "A football junkie since he can remember, Mark Helfrich finds his niche with college coaching". The Oregonian. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  3. ^ "Former SOU star Helfrich eyes Oregon position". Blogs.esouthernoregon.com. April 23, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d "Mark Helfrich Named Oregon's 32nd Football Head Coach". GoDucks.com. January 20, 2013. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Schlabach: Helfrich keeps Oregon Ducks flying high". go.com. November 7, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  6. ^ "Helfrich a real Man of Oregon". portlandtribune.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  7. ^ a b Glier, Ray. "Helfrich's Ducks Are a Real Threat". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  8. ^ "Mark Helfrich Bio". GoDucks.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Mark Helfrich Biography – CUBuffs.com – Official Athletics Web site of the University of Colorado". CUBuffs.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  10. ^ Jude, Adam (January 13, 2013). "Chip Kelly's potential replacement Mark Helfrich is ready to take charge at Oregon Ducks football". OregonLive.com. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  11. ^ Moseley, Rob (May 1, 2009). "Ducks stay close to home to fill coaching holes". The Register-Guard. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  12. ^ "An offense by committee – Sports – Eugene, Oregon". registerguard.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  13. ^ Lowery, Nathan (January 18, 2013). "Oregon Football: Why Mark Helfrich Is the Best Replacement for Chip Kelly". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  14. ^ "The Oregon Ducks have built a Pac-12 dynasty under coach Chip Kelly". ESPN.com. November 14, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  15. ^ Miller, Ted (November 6, 2012). "Best Ducks ever? Future tests may hold key". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  16. ^ "2012 Oregon Ducks Rushing". cfbstats.com. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  17. ^ "2012 NFL draft – Darron Thomas of Oregon Ducks to leave early, enter draft". ESPN.com. January 16, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  18. ^ Ely, Bruce (December 29, 2012). "Ten moments that shaped the Ducks' season: A dazzling debut for Marcus Mariota and the Ducks". The Oregonian. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  19. ^ a b "Pac-12 football awards and all-conference team announced". Pac-12.com. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  20. ^ "Mariota Leads Oregon to Fiesta Bowl Win". Hawaii News Now. January 4, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  21. ^ Administrator (November 28, 2010). "2010 Quarterbacks Coach of the Year – FootballScoop". footballscoop.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  22. ^ "Coaches of the Year: Mark Helfrich: Oregon". Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  23. ^ "Canzano: Chip Kelly feels like a coach about to run beyond this rivalry". The Oregonian. November 24, 2012.
  24. ^ Schroeder, George (January 3, 2013). "Oregon will hire assistant Mark Helfrich if Chip Kelly leaves". USA Today.
  25. ^ "Eagles get their man, hire Oregon's Kelly". CNN. January 16, 2013.
  26. ^ Schroeder, George (January 16, 2013). "Oregon to promote Mark Helfrich to replace Chip Kelly". Usatoday.com. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  27. ^ Miller, Ted (January 20, 2013). "Rich Brooks". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  28. ^ "Mark Helfrich: 'Coaching Oregon is the pinnacle for me'". The Oregonian. January 20, 2013.
  29. ^ "Mark Helfrich Announcement Quotes". GoDucks.com. January 20, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  30. ^ Brown, Matt (May 2, 2014). "Forging Ahead". sportsonearth.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  31. ^ "Comparing the Ducks: Oregon more explosive in 2013, but key failings keep UO from matching 2012". oregonlive.com. December 5, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  32. ^ "First Year Results: Mark Helfrich vs Oregon's Coaching Greats". fishduck.com. December 8, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  33. ^ "No. 6 Stanford 26, No. 2 Oregon 20: Ducks' title hopes crushed by mistakes and dominating Stanford offensive line". oregonlive.com. November 8, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  34. ^ "No. 5 Oregon loses to Arizona and will miss Rose Bowl". usatoday.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  35. ^ "Oregon vs. Texas – Game Recap – December 30, 2013 – ESPN". go.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  36. ^ "Mark Helfrich Bio - GoDucks.com - the University of Oregon Official Athletics Web Site". Archived from the original on February 25, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  37. ^ "Oregon's Marcus Mariota wins Heisman Trophy". go.com. December 14, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  38. ^ Schnell, Lindsay. "Oregon proves its Pac-12 supremacy with comeback win over Michigan State". si.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  39. ^ "Oregon rolls past Arizona in 2014 Pac-12 Football Championship Game". pac-12.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  40. ^ "Maisel: Oregon dominates FSU". go.com. January 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  41. ^ "Ohio St. beats Oregon 42–20 to win first national championship of playoff era". ncaa.com. January 13, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  42. ^ "Ducks' Helfrich gets 5-year, $17.5M extension". go.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  43. ^ "No. 18 Utah pounds No. 13 Oregon in Ducks' worst loss since 2003". oregonlive.com. September 27, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  44. ^ "Oregon Ducks fall out of AP Top 25 for first time since 2009". oregonlive.com. September 27, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  45. ^ "What they're saying about Oregon: National reaction to Ducks' 'slide back into mediocrity'". oregonlive.com. September 26, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  46. ^ "Vernon Adams Jr. – 2015 Football Roster – GoDucks.com – The University of Oregon Official Athletics". goducks.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  47. ^ Schnell, Lindsay. "Three thoughts on Oregon's upset of Stanford". si.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  48. ^ "Vernon Adams Jr. stellar as Oregon Ducks beat USC: Game recap". oregonlive.com. November 22, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  49. ^ "#15 Oregon and #11 TCU Match-up In Valero Alamo Bowl – Valero Alamo Bowl". alamobowl.com. December 7, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  50. ^ a b "In stunning collapse, Oregon Ducks lose Alamo Bowl after allowing TCU a 31-point comeback". oregonlive.com. January 3, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  51. ^ "Alamo Bowl: Oregon Ducks lose Vernon Adams Jr., then the game as TCU mounts epic comeback". oregonlive.com. January 3, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  52. ^ "Oregon vs. TCU – Game Recap – January 2, 2016 – ESPN". go.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  53. ^ "Oregon Ducks demote defensive coordinator Don Pellum, lose Erik Chinander in staff shakeup". oregonlive.com. January 5, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  54. ^ "Central Florida tabs Oregon OC Frost as coach". go.com. December 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  55. ^ "Lubick Named Offensive Coordinator". goducks.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  56. ^ Green, Shannon. "UCF DC Erik Chinander expecting aggressive defense to match fast offense". orlandosentinel.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  57. ^ 210623899 Archived January 16, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  58. ^ "Helfrich Adds Former Michigan Head Coach Brady Hoke as Defensive Coordinator – GoDucks.com – The University of Oregon Official Athletics". goducks.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  59. ^ Prehm, Matt (November 29, 2016). "BREAKING: Oregon fires Mark Helfrich". 247 Sports. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  60. ^ a b Finley, Patrick (January 12, 2018). "Bears make 3 coaching hires official, still wait on coordinator Vic Fangio". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  61. ^ Finley, Patrick (December 31, 2019). "Bears fire 4 coaches, including offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on December 31, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  62. ^ Emma, Chris (December 31, 2019). "Bears Dismiss Mark Helfrich, 3 Other Assistants". WSCR. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  63. ^ "FOX Sports Announces 2020 Fall College Football On-Air Lineup". Fox Sports PressPass. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
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