Bryan McClendon evaluates how Oregon players are handling coaching change

Several college football teams across the country are in flux heading into the bowl season, but perhaps no one is in a weirder situation than Oregon.

Former head coach Mario Cristobal left Eugene for Miami, and incoming head coach Dan Lanning is finishing out the 2021 season in his former capacity as Georgia’s defensive coordinator. That leaves interim head coach Bryan McClendon in charge as the Ducks prepare for the Alamo Bowl against Oklahoma. According to McClendon, his team is zoned in and ready to play despite numerous possible distractions.

“I’ve been really, really, really pleased with the guys,” McClendon said on Monday. “I challenged those guys in pretty much the first meeting that I had with them that the programs that handle this the best is the programs that have the best chance to do well. I feel like the guys have been able to keep the main thing the main thing.”

In addition to the head coaching change, Oregon offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead will coach his final game with the team on Dec. 29. He was hired to be the next head coach at Akron. Incoming offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham will be on scene, as will new co-defensive coordinator Matt Powledge. In other words, there are a lot of moving pieces, but the game won’t stop for the coaching carousel. 

“We’re going over there regardless,” the second-time interim head coach added. “Dec. 29 they’re teeing it up, and we’re kicking it off. We gotta go out there and make sure that we’re ready for that point in time. That’s what we’ve been working all year to do. We earned this opportunity and we need to make sure we’re doing everything we do to take full advantage of it.”

McClendon has been in this position before, as he served as the interim head coach at his alma mater, Georgia, in 2015 while Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart finished out his tenure as the defensive coordinator at Alabama. 

Oklahoma is in a fluid situation as well, as new head coach Brent Venables has taken over and is in the process of building his new staff. Former Ole Miss offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby was hired away from Oxford, but he will coach the Rebels in the Sugar Bowl one last time. 

The Alamo Bowl kicks off on Dec. 29 at 9:15 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Sooners are a 4.5-point favorite.