Oregon football: 2 weeks into fall camp, Ducks adjusting to new coaching staff

Optimism is high within the Oregon football program after the first two weeks of fall camp, but the Ducks still have plenty of progress to make if they want to get the 2022 season off to a winning start at their opening game against defending national champion Georgia.

Oregon returns numerous starters and an abundance of talent. The learning curve is steep, however, with a new head coach and new offensive and defensive coordinators.

Competition has been fierce as everyone tries to impress the new coaching staff while also adapting to new techniques and terminology.

Here are a few takeaways from the first 14 days of fall camp, which had limited media access.

Defense

First-year defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi says he likes what he’s seen so far, but also knows the Ducks need to get a lot better before they take the field Sept. 3 against Georgia in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic in Atlanta.

“I’m pleased with our progress,” Lupoi said after Thursday’s practice. “There’s a lot of improvement both individually and collectively, but we’ve got a long way to go though.”

Lupoi coached for five seasons at Alabama, winning two national titles and twice leading the nation in scoring defense. He spent the last three years as a defensive line coach in the NFL.

Oregon ranked 72nd in total defense last season (385.6 yards per game) and 75th in scoring defense (27 points) under former defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter. The Ducks have not fared well against SEC competition in the last decade, losing to LSU and twice to Auburn, including the 2010 national championship game. In the College Football Playoff era, the Ducks also have been pushed around by Power Five teams Ohio State, Oklahoma and Iowa State.

“We need to get better everywhere. There’s no doubt,” Lupoi said. “We’re going to address the how and not just say, ‘Get better.’ We’ve got a bunch of guys that are committed to being mentally and physically tough. What I’m starting to see over here after a few weeks is the leadership start to rise, and that’s awesome because we need that."

The Ducks lost some key defensive players, most notably explosive edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, the No. 5 overall pick in the NFL draft. Defensive backs Mykael Wright and Verone McKinley III also departed, both signing rookie free agent deals after going undrafted.

The cupboard is hardly bare. Brandon Dorlus seems poised for a breakout season on the defensive line, while the linebacking corps will be led by former five-star recruits Noah Sewell and Justin Flowe. The secondary features some enticing, if unproven, talent.

The new coaching staff seems to have reinvigorated the players with a different approach and fresh energy.

“That’s the biggest change, to be honest with you. These coaches just go at it,” Dorlus said. “We pick up on that juice, too. When they go at it, offensive and defensive lines are going at it, wide receivers and (defensive backs) are yapping at each other. It’s all competition. We’re all trying to get each other better."

Offense

The increased competition at fall camp has been embraced by players and coaches alike, but the staff has been careful to draw a line.

“We’re competitive as crap,” said new offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham. “They’re getting after it every day, but I think we have a really good balance that we all understand that we’re on one team. We don’t want guys on the ground in practice, we want to keep guys up and we want to keep them healthy.

“We want to find that balance where we can go to work and be physical while keeping guys up."

While things can get chippy at times during practice, everyone understands that there’s only one way to get better.

“The more you play in fall camp, the more you go against a guy. The more he beats you or the more you beat him, you’re going to build up a little beef with a defender,” offensive lineman Steven Jones said. “The more we get into fall camp, the more it starts to ramp up a little bit. But we also know we’re our brother’s keeper, so we’ve got to take care of each other. No cheap shots, nothing dirty out there. Just clean, hard, physical football.”

Veteran players are learning yet another new playbook after the departures of Marcus Arroyo in 2020 and Joe Moorhead in 2021. Dillingham, who has previously been the offensive coordinator at Memphis, Auburn and Florida State, is widely regarded as one of the best recruiters in the country.

“It’s been good. Practices have been tough but it’s still football,” offensive lineman Dawson Jaramillo said. “The energy is a little bit higher. The approach to the season and football is a little bit different. It’s exciting. Guys are coming to practice and they have a little more juice. It’s just fun to be a part of.”

The Ducks lost running backs CJ Verdell to the NFL and Travis Dye to USC, but the offensive line is loaded with talent. The receiving corps features several explosive players ready for breakout seasons, plus the addition of former UCLA wideout and Oregon legacy Chase Cota.

Little has emerged from fall camp to suggest that the coaching staff has chosen a starting quarterback.

Auburn transfer Bo Nix has starting experience from his three seasons with the Tigers, while 6-foot-4, 225-pound sophomore Ty Thompson is a former five-star recruit. The decision may come down to the final practices before departing for Atlanta.

Coaching Staff

At 36, Lanning is the youngest Power Five football coach in the country. Dillingham got his first offensive coordinator gig at Memphis in 2018 when he was just 28, and he brings four years coaching experience. Lupoi is 41. His coaching career includes stints at Cal, Washington, Alabama and three NFL franchises.

It’s no secret that Oregon went all-in on a young coaching staff that could recruit elite-level athletes. Lanning checks all the boxes, having guided a Georgia defense that twice led the NCAA in scoring defense and rolled to an undefeated national championship in 2021.

Dillingham and Lupoi fit that same mold of coaches who will bring fresh energy and ideas to the Oregon program while also listening to feedback from their players.

“I learned from a young age that the smartest people listen the most,” Dillingham said. “This isn’t just me coming out there being a dictator. This is listening to the players and what our signals are going to be. Listening to the quarterbacks and what plays they like and are comfortable with. Listening to the players on the roster saying, ‘I like this route. I’m good at this route.’

“The more you listen, I think you reap the benefits of using a lot of people’s intelligence. People think it’s you when in reality you’re just not being stubborn.”

The overhaul of the coaching staff following Mario Cristobal’s departure also has given players the opportunity to start with a clean slate. There are no preconceptions about past performances, just the chance to impress a fresh set of eyes.

“What’s necessary being a new staff, we’re not really going to put much on the past and feedback from others,” Lupoi said. “It’s an open stage for anyone in that role – if you work your butt off on the field and off the field you’re going to gain respect from your teammates.”

Follow Zack Palmer on Twitter @zpalmer_11 or email at zpalmer@registerguard.com.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon football: Ducks adjusting to new coaching staff