djdjajNdzb wrote:
Why does it matter if Oregon is good or not? People are so obsessed with Jerry and Oregon for no reason.
Oregon, whether you like it or not, is ingrained in the history and spirit of USA track and field. So many legends of the sport have come out of Oregon, and it was the original "American-made" powerhouse of NCAA distance running. It's where the USA championships and Olympic trials are regularly held, as well the the NCAA outdoor championship. And it has been the dominant force across the board in the 21st century, under Robert Johnson and Andy Powell's guidance. So seeing it as a shell of its former self - not even in the top 30 programs in the country, without a single male athlete representing them at NCAAs - is pretty shocking. It's even more so, when you consider that the drop in form happened instantaneously with the hiring of a new coach, and that coach was previously considered one of the best coaches in the world (albeit a controversial figure). It's the kind of thing that leaves everyone wondering: what the hell went wrong.
More than anything, it's sad. Even for those who didn't attend, Eugene holds a special place in the hearts of many track and field fans. So many incredible moments and memories connected to that place. And so many incredibly talented, exciting young athletes that, it would seem, have thrown away their careers by choosing to attend there; a choice that, any other time in the last 50 years, would've been a good one. Just a very unfortunate situation and I really hope that the Oregon AD and board make the correct decision here to move on without Jerry. Clearly it's not working out.