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Baylor hires Oregon co-DC Matt Powledge as defensive coordinator

Jarrid Denneyby: Jarrid Denney12/29/22jarrid_denney
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(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

Oregon safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator Matt Powledge has departed the program to become the next defensive coordinator at Baylor.

Powledge, 35, was in his first year with the Ducks.

He returns to Baylor after serving as an assistant under Dave Aranda in Waco from 2020-21

“We are thrilled to welcome Matt back to Waco,” Aranda said. “Matt is an elite defensive mind who has a great understanding of our system, on and off the field. His experience both on our staff and elsewhere, paired with his understanding of person over player and his ability to connect with student-athletes, make him an ideal fit to serve as our defensive coordinator.”

Powledge replaces Ron Roberts, who was let go as Baylor’s defensive coordinator on Dec. 1. The Bears finished the season 6-7 overall.

Powledge is in the first year of a two-year contract with the Ducks that pays him $700,000 annually, according to records released by the University of Oregon.

Per his contract, if Powledge leaves Oregon before February 2023, he owes the university 25% of his annual salary unless he leaves to become a head coach or defensive coordinator with play-calling duties.

A Huntsville, Texas, native, Powledge was Baylor’s safeties coach and special teams coordinator for two seasons before joining Lanning’s staff.

Prior to his time in Waco, Powledge served as outside linebacker coach and special teams coordinator at Louisiana from 2018-19. He has also worked as an assistant at the University of Louisianna Monroe, Sam Houston State, and Northwestern State. He worked as a graduate assistant at Kentucky and Southeastern Louisiana.

He becomes the second Ducks’ assistant this season to depart the program.

In November, Oregon offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kenny Dillingham left to become the head coach at Arizona State.

Earlier this month, Lanning was asked about Dillingham’s departure and the obstacles of replacing assistants who leave for other jobs.

“I think as a coach you always have to be prepared for a transition, especially when you’re successful,” Lanning said. “When you talk about having a staff reach their goals and aspirations, you want to be able to create those opportunities and you have to be prepared for those moments.”

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