Univ. Of Oregon Fires Mark Helfrich, Owes Him $11.6M Buyout

The Univ. of Oregon last night fired football coach Mark Helfrich after a 4-8 season, and Helfrich now is owed an $11.6M buyout. Oregon AD Rob Mullens said that the "total cost of cleaning house isn't known because Helfrich's buyout will be mitigated by any salary he earns at a future job." Mullens added that $6.5M from licensing revenue "could be allocated to help pay for the coaching change and the department will be saving some money on the bowl bonuses that were budgeted." The program's assistant coaches are scheduled to make a combined $3.9M guaranteed next year (Eugene REGISTER-GUARD, 11/30).

Mullens said the search for a new coach, which will be assisted by Parker Executive Search, will go "far and wide" (Portland OREGONIAN, 11/30).