Mark Helfrich out as Oregon coach after worst season since '91
— -- Mark Helfrich is out as Oregon's football coach, the school announced.
The move comes just days after the Ducks wrapped up a 4-8 season with a 34-24 loss to rival Oregon State.
It was their worst season since 1991 (3-8) and marks the first time since 2004 that they won't appear in a bowl game.
Helfrich was expected to meet with athletic director Rob Mullens this week. Mullens had been in Texas until Tuesday, taking part in meetings with the College Football Playoff committee.
Helfrich, whose contract with Oregon includes an $11.6 million buyout, was 37-16 as head coach of the Ducks. He was Oregon's offensive coordinator under innovator Chip Kelly, taking over the top job in 2013 when Kelly went to the NFL.
After going 9-4 last season, Oregon started this season ranked No. 24 in the preseason AP Top 25. But the Ducks lost 35-32 at Nebraska in the third week of the season, touching off a five-game losing streak.
The Ducks finished last in the Pac-12 North standings at 2-7.
Just moments after the Oregon State defeat, Helfrich was asked about his job security.
"Nobody's job is safe in college football," he said. "That's just the nature of the beast."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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