Former Ducks coach Bellotti stepping down as Oregon AD after a year to take job with ESPN

Bellotti announces he’s stepping down as Oregon AD

Oregon athletic director Mike Bellotti is stepping down after less than a year in the position to become a college football analyst with ESPN.

Bellotti was head coach of the Ducks for 14 seasons before he formally took over as athletic director on July 1. He’ll make his debut on ESPN on April 17.

His tenure as AD has been tumultuous. Earlier this week, he dismissed men’s basketball coach Ernie Kent because of losses and dropping attendance.

He’s also seen a spate of player misconduct on the football team. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, mentioned as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate, was suspended for the upcoming season last week after pleading guilty to a second-degree burglary charge.

Running back LaMichael James, who set the Pac-10 freshman rushing record last season, pleaded guilty to an unrelated harassment charge and was suspended by coach Chip Kelly last week for the season opener on Sept. 4.

“I want everyone to know I’m not running from anything at all,” Bellotti said.

The 59-year-old Bellotti had already been named as the successor to Pat Kilkenny when he took office last July. Chip Kelly had been promoted in March from offensive coordinator to head coach.

Bellotti went 116-55 as coach of the Ducks and took the team to 12 bowl games. In 2001, Oregon won 11 games, including a 38-16 victory over Colorado in the Fiesta Bowl to finish ranked No. 2.

He joined the Ducks as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Rich Brooks in 1989.

Bellotti said he will continue to make Eugene his home. His first broadcast will be the Auburn spring football game on ESPNU.

Kilkenny was named AD in February 2007 and said at the time he planned to serve in that position for two years. A prominent booster, Kilkenny has spearheaded plans to build a new basketball arena to replace venerable McArthur Court.