Will Stein emerges as the quarterback guru Oregon needs to win championships

 

Will Stein gives Oregon something the Ducks haven't had since Chip Kelly: an offensive coordinator whose specialty is scouting, teaching and developing quarterbacks.

Consider that in the whirlwind seven months since he took over the job from Kenny Dillingham, this is what he's already accomplished in Eugene:

December 2022: flipped Austin Novosad from Baylor

January 2023: convinced Bo Nix to return as a fifth-year senior

Spring 2023: encouraged Ty Thompson to remain at Oregon rather than transfer

April 2023: Three-star 2024 quarterback Luke Moga commits

May 2023: Four-star 2024 quarterback Michael Van Buren commits

July 2023: Four-star 2025 quarterback Akili Smith jr. commits

Stein hasn't coached a down or called a play at Oregon, but he's already secured what will be one of the most talented quarterback rooms in the country. That's exciting, for a couple of reasons. One, college football, even in the Big Ten, is all about execution and leadership at quarterback. 

Two, the football tradition at Oregon has been built with great play at QB. Think of the exciting, entertaining football the Ducks have played over the years with these names pulling the trigger: Dan Fouts, Reggie Ogburn, Chris Miller, Bill Musgrave, Danny O'Neil, Tony Graziani, Akili Smith sr., Joey Harrington, Kellen Clemens, Dennis Dixon, Jeremiah Masoli, Darron Thomas, Marcus Mariota, Vernon Adams, Justin Herbert and Bo Nix.

There were others, but that's the group that inspires the mental highlight reel of big plays, beautiful passes and big moments. In Stein, the Ducks have found that right guy to extend that tradition. He's played the position, going from a walk-on role to a scholarship at Louisville from 2008-2012, serving as a backup to Teddy Bridgewater. He's worked for offensive-minded coaches while developing his own philosophy.

The true measure of an offensive coordinator is getting the most out of the talent he has, the ability to adapt his system to the players and solve problems like injuries, depth, strengths and weaknesses on the roster. Stein has demonstrated that at his other stops.

In his tenure as a Duck coach Kelly groomed Dixon, Masoli, Thomas and Mariota as they produced the most electrifying era of Oregon offense in school history on the way to three straight conference championships--four quarterbacks with vastly different styles and skill sets, each one guiding a potent attack that buried opponents in flurries of points.

Stein's turn at the wheel is just beginning, but he's already shown the ability to connect with talented passers and get them to see the game with clearer eyes. In a few short weeks the proof will be palpable. Just watch: The Ducks are going to average 40+ points a game in the Will Stein era.