I wonder why?

This is surprising. After all the talk of Leavitt promoting to an HC position failed to materialize, I thought he was set to stay at OU. Hmm, maybe it was Cristobl spreading those rumors, after all.

Leavitt is a good DC (he was Colorado when they were very good a couple years ago, albeit with mostly upperclassmen on the defense). Oregon has recruited a ton of good young talent so they'll be good regardless, but I suspect this move hurts them a bit, at least in the short term.

Doesn't Leavitt have some serious baggage from the past-is he being forced out? If so would seem to be from issues other than performance on the field. Iris he leaving of own accord to be free for other college or pro possibilities?

Sounds like they will be more to this story..

Fans of a conference rival team need to know about the DC position at Oregon. Why did he leave it?

See what I did?

I'm sure there will be an interesting explanation to this. Leavitt seems to be great coach but he's got a few screws loose too. Never a good idea to head butt a player wearing a helmet for example.

If I'm not mistaken, the new DC Heyward worked under Sirmon at Louisville a couple years ago.

He was also the highest paid assistant in the PAC.

I wonder who they will get to replace him.

I see they just filled there WR coach position also...

He had two years and $3.4 million left on contract. So I don't think he left on his own. Unless he did something for cause, they'll owe him the whole $3.4 million. That's unless he takes another job.

going4roses said:

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I wonder who they will get to replace him.

I see they just filled there WR coach position also...

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Co-DC Heyward will take over.

What does he know about offense? Just wondering.

Bear19 said:

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What does he know about offense? Just wondering.

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I'm pretty sure he studies offense for a living

They were desperate for improved D play just a year or so ago. I'm shocked they got rid of him. There really must have been some behind the scenes stuff going on.

Can he coach basketball?

tequila4kapp said:

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They were desperate for improved D play just a year or so ago. I'm shocked they got rid of him. There really must have been some behind the scenes stuff going on.

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Given how much they were paying him, I wonder if they figure they can get the same results at a quarter of the price who also recruits.

That's the thing. They won't be paying less. Not in the short term. The new DC gets a big bump in pay and they'll still be paying Levitt. Has to be a lot more to the story. I could see them getting rid of him at the end of his contract. To do it with two years left is pretty shocking.

SPECULATION ALERT: Oregon's announcement is a bit weird.
If it were health related, both sides would have said as much.
If it were personal in nature, Oregon would have said as much.
If it was bad behavior that is personal in nature, Oregon would have said it was something along the lines of not living up to the standards of the University.
If it was recruiting related, Oregon would have tried to get out of ahead of it, and announced an investigation.
If it was player treatment related, Oregon might try to bury it.
If it was mismatching personalities with the head coach, Oregon might try to bury it.

I'm left thinking it is one of either player treatment, or mismatching coaching personalities. Either way it is a win for Cal as I thought Leavitt was pretty good.

It's probably about friction between Cristobal and Leavitt. They thought this might solve itself by Leavitt getting a head coaching job, but he didn't, so now he leaves with a wad of Uncle Phil's cash and either goes somewhere else as a coordinator or retires.

AEM80 said:

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That's the thing. They won't be paying less. Not in the short term. The new DC gets a big bump in pay and they'll still be paying Levitt. Has to be a lot more to the story. I could see them getting rid of him at the end of his contract. To do it with two years left is pretty shocking.

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Could've agreed to a lower buyout, depending on the circumstances.

BearSD said:

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It's probably about friction between Cristobal and Leavitt. They thought this might solve itself by Leavitt getting a head coaching job, but he didn't, so now he leaves with a wad of Uncle Phil's cash and either goes somewhere else as a coordinator or retires.

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You wonder what decisions Wilcox would have made re: the offense if he had this type of money to throw around.

wifeisafurd said:

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BearSD said:

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It's probably about friction between Cristobal and Leavitt. They thought this might solve itself by Leavitt getting a head coaching job, but he didn't, so now he leaves with a wad of Uncle Phil's cash and either goes somewhere else as a coordinator or retires.

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You wonder what decisions Wilcox would have made re: the offense if he had this type of money to throw around.

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Decide to get one.

wifeisafurd said:

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BearSD said:

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It's probably about friction between Cristobal and Leavitt. They thought this might solve itself by Leavitt getting a head coaching job, but he didn't, so now he leaves with a wad of Uncle Phil's cash and either goes somewhere else as a coordinator or retires.

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You wonder what decisions Wilcox would have made re: the offense if he had this type of money to throw around.

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Yup. They're paying out a ton of money when you consider that it's only a coordinator they are buying out: The Oregon athletic department statement said, "The agreement will be funded by athletics entirely from private sources and has a maximum amount of $2.5 million, payable over multiple years and subject to reduction based on future employment."

With donors offering up that kind of money, a head coach could clean up any case of buyer's remorse.

When the players picked Mario the writing was on the wall. It was only a matter of time Levitt checked out with 3-4 games left last season. Initially he a hold over after taggart to hold that class together.

That is the word I'm getting

I can't imagine a guy like Leavitt ever "checking out." That kind of infers he quit on the team. That may be the story their administration and fans are putting out there. You're talking about a very intense, crazy intense, lifelong football guy. Not the kind of guy who would check out half way through the football season, check out on his team, and more importantly his players. I think it was probably more of a philosophical split, an issue between him and Cristobal. Probably didn't get along that well. Partly because Cristobal got the job Leavitt probably wanted. And partly because Leavitt was out interviewing for head coaching positions. Nevertheless, I'm glad he's leaving. He's a very good coach. Doesn't recruit much but a very good coach.

This is odd timing if Leavitt was leaving because he felt like he didn't get the HC job. He could have left to be the DC for Taggart if that was the case.

Not checked out tried his best to ruin things but

Checked out as far as "your input in game day prep is no longer needed thanks but no thanks" they held out hope he would find a HC job but alas it didn't happen thus here is your 2.5 and see yah

After the players picked Mario bros he was chopped liver to them aka spot holder until further notice

socaliganbear said:

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tequila4kapp said:

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They were desperate for improved D play just a year or so ago. I'm shocked they got rid of him. There really must have been some behind the scenes stuff going on.

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Given how much they were paying him, I wonder if they figure they can get the same results at a quarter of the price who also recruits.

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They aren't exactly struggling with recruiting. He must have really screwed up.

We should hire Leavitt as our new OC.

okaydo said:

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We should hire Leavitt as our new OC.

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Don't laugh. It wouldn't be the first time Cal convinced a DC at Oregon to become an OC at Cal.

Denny Schuler went from defensive coordinator UO in 1992 to offensive coordinator Cal in 1993. The old joke we used to tell was "as an OC, Schuler made a great DC".

NVBear78 said:

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oski003 said:

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He's going to Oregon St. Leavitt to Beaver

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ROFLMAO, you win the internet today!!

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+1, nicely done.

Beaver (Jerry Mathers) is a Cal alum.

NVBear78 said:

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oski003 said:

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He's going to Oregon St. Leavitt to Beaver

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ROFLMAO, you win the internet today!!

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Agreed.

Reminded me of this too

71Bear said:

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okaydo said:

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We should hire Leavitt as our new OC.

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Don't laugh. It wouldn't be the first time Cal convinced a DC at Oregon to become an OC at Cal.

Denny Schuler went from defensive coordinator UO in 1992 to offensive coordinator Cal in 1993. The old joke we used to tell was "as an OC, Schuler made a great DC".

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Haha that's great trivia

This is great for us if we're looking to retain TDR long-term.