Article on why Pac-12s are being held at Mt. SAC. The real juicy bits, however, are about Jerry.

Hiring Jerry S. was a strange decision IMO. He is a world class coach, but no longer fits the needs of a college program for showcasing or even winning championships. I don't know what conflict they had with Johnson, but he was winning. Ben Thomas was producing very good distance results for the men. Distance women doing well. Distance runners are not doing well now even though that is supposed to be the focus for Jerry S. Maybe he'll turn it around at the NCAAs...

As a Pacific Northwest resident that follows this program and generally wants it to succeed, I give Jerry somewhat of a pass for the year one competitiveness of the team (his upcoming recruiting class for men's distance looks stacked). It's worth mentioning a few fantastic women in the field events are at least carrying that half of the program to a projected top 5 finish at NCAAs.

However, not having as much top end talent this year is no excuse for phoning it in with a lack of racing (especially at their limited home meets) and maximizing fan interest in this "down year". I'm not even sure if Jerry allowed a single guy to race the 3,000 and 5,000 indoors. Embarrassing the 15 in a row PAC-12 streak is indeed poised to end in a whimper like Goe mentioned.

Who could have foreseen these problems given that Schumacher ran for Martin Smith and then essentially modeled his entire career off what he learned from him? Jerry is Martin Smith with slightly better social skills. The other big difference is that Smith could build a well-rounded track team and won Pac-10s a couple times.

For everyone who can't stand the Oregon / Nike circle jerk this is just too good.

That's not really fair. I'm sure UO athletes have competed in closed-door time trials many times at Hayward this season.

you mean fanboi media. the real press doesn't cover cow town meets ;-)

despite all that, they have an amazing recruiting class coming in. this team is gonna be a force for years to come.

Jerry got the job as his retirement project after Shelby got popped. He knows where all the bodies are buried at Nike.

To be clear, Oregon has always had an amazing recruiting class, especially in the mid distances. This incoming class is no better and no worse. Pretty disastrous year for the Ducks, but JS has earned my vote of confidence to right the ship based on his past. I’ll afford him one more year of my personal support as just a fan of the Duck program.

I would give it a year or two. This was always going to be a rebuilding year, esp. on the men's side.

I’m not at all familiar with the entire recruiting class, but having 2 of the 3 kids to ever break 4 as Juniors, who have run 8:34 and 13:37 respectively so far this year, is a fair indication that it’s not just another average group of incoming freshman.

I thought Ken Goe, a Nike mouthpiece positioned at the (paper), retired.

Maybe it's time to realize Jerrry was just hired last summer.

1) I think it's great he didn't volunteer to host the meet. There are WAY too many meets in Eugene.

2) Have you ever thought Jerry might be trying to get the team to a level that's worthy of drawing fan attention? Why would he want to host the meet when his men are going to be like 7th or 8th?

3) All of that said, he should still address the locals. I'd hold a press conference. "Hey we havent' been racing guys as this is Oregon and we have a standard of excellence. We love the fans but hope you understand it may be a year or two until we have a team worthy of being supported by the Duck faithful.

4) You think Phil Knight is regretting hiring one of the world's best distance coaches? No chance. I'm giving JErry the benefit of the doubt here and he was smart enough to tell Phil, "I'll only take the job if you realize it's going to take a while and I need ** years to get my stuff in order."

5) If Jerry is this media aloof and spectator aloof in 3 years, then we can have the conversatioon you want to have.

PS. The reality is the Oregon football team doens't do special crap to please the locals. They do what every other team is doing. If Jerry ends up doing that, but is super successful, you still want him fired?

What?

I believe if we are going to argue we need to at least use facts.

I think Ben Thomas is an AMAZING mid-d coach.

But to say the Oregon distance women were doing well is a lie. Helen did great things prior to Oregon but in her 4 years there, they women finished 3rd, 26th, 16th, and 24th at NCAAs in xc.

For the Oregon to be outside the top 15 - on the women's side where there are way more scholarships - is not good.

This year, under Jerry and Shalane, the improved to 14th. Now I don't know the scholarship situation. If all the money is going sprint wise, then you can't critcize.

Why do you d!ck ride this guy so much?

You spend half your articles complaining that athletes dont race enough, then you turn around and excuse a college coach not racing his athletes because they might not win. Gtfo

rebuilding happens but not even competing is pathetic and you know it

Man is comfortable accusing the AIU of witch hunts in a press conference but can't be bothered explain to Eugene what a transition year is or what his goals are to the city of Eugene.

He gets a 3 year pass for no communication? In addition to how many years of being a recluse?

Who cares about everything else but not hosting meets in a world class stadium you just spent millions building is wild. I can't imagine administration and Nike are super thrilled to not have opportunities to flex Hayward.

Comparing track to football is such a dumb take. Track only exists because of football even at Oregon and they don't need to engage with the community to sell tickets and get sponsors and donations, track does. Football isn't hurting for money and attention like track. To have the most well known track program in the country and not do more for the sport is such a waste.

As someone who follows the football team and has been around Eugene my entire life, this is incredibly untrue and woefully stupid. The coaches do lots of media and make their players available as well. Also, If a new football coach at Oregon finished lasted in the PAC-12 (which Jerry’s team is on track to do) after his predecessors won the conference 15 years in a row (Robert Johnson won in his first year btw), the fan base would be calling for his head.

There are going to be a lot of fans and boosters not pleased seeing the only ONE duck, the biggest profile distance school in the NCAA, in total compete tonight in the 10k and 1500.