There have been reports over on the Oregon Football Forum on Oregon Live that University of Oregon assistant football coach Neal Zoumboukos( Zoomer) will be leaving the team.(Update, reports are true) It's a darn shame. Zoomer has been a coach at Oregon since 1980 or for 26 seasons. He has coached the O line,and has for two year been the Tight Ends coach. He is also the Assistant Head Coach. He has an "Old School" approach to coaching that the Ducks need more of and not less! He believes in a tough work ethic for his players and likes "blue collar" players who play beyond their abilities rather than "blue chip" players who under perform. He is a great recruiter. I have talked with one of his players from the Rose Bowl year and he has nothing but admiration for Zoomer. I have also met Zoomer and he is the kind of coach who I would like to coach my son. I have observed him preparing himself mentally on game day and have seen his own personal work ethic. If I was in an alley fight I would want him covering my back. If he leaves it will be Oregon's Loss. At the Official Oregon web site it states:
The 60-year-old Zoumboukos has instilled a work ethic that has benefited his pupils long after their football careers have ended. He possesses a passion that has prompted many of his former players to follow in their mentor’s footsteps into the coaching profession.
UPDATED
At a press conference it was announced that Tom Osborne was coming back to the Ducks as Tight Ends Coach and Special Teams Coordinator. He had since he left the Ducks been at Arizona State University. Zoomer will move to a part time "liaison" to new Athletic Director Pat Kilkenny. Zoumboukos at the press conference said he looked forward to being an advocate for student-athletes and administrative staff, including assistant coaches, from all UO sports. It was said Zoomer was moved off the football staff due to his unwillingness to take over the duties of Special Teams Coordinator. He will be available as a coaching consultant and advisor on recruiting. While I have no problem with Coach Osborne, it is a darn shame that Zoomer will not be on the field coaching the team! At least he is still working for the Ducks. Go Ducks!
UPDATE #2
The University of Oregon has now released a formal press release on the changes to the football staff. Click on the title above for a link. Some interesting quotes from the press release:
Zoumboukos, who has accumulated 27 years as an Oregon assistant coach -- the longest continuous tenure of any assistant coach in the Pacific-10 Conference -- will assume the title of special assistant to the director of athletics.
In his new role, Zoumboukos will continue to serve in an administrative role to Bellotti and the football program as well as a liason between incoming director of athletics Pat Kilkenny and the university campus community.
“Neal Zoumboukos has played an integral role in the success of Oregon’s football program for more than two decades and is regarded very highly among numerous university circles as well,” Kilkenny said. “His value to me will be immeasurable, not only within the athletics department but in helping me become familiar with the different constituents on campus. I am extremely pleased and fortunate that Neal has agreed to fill this role.”
“I want to personally thank Neal Zoumboukos for his outstanding service to this university, the athletics department and our football program,” Bellotti said. “He has been an outstanding teacher, coach and mentor to the student-athletes he has been associated with. He also has been a friend, confidant and co-worker to me whom I have trusted and leaned on my entire time as a football coach.
“He will be missed on the football field but I am pleased he will continue his association with this athletics department and help our new athletics director with his efforts to move this athletics department forward.”
Go Ducks!
