Oregon Football Needs To Replace Don Pellum As Defensive Coordinator

It was apparent to anyone who tuned in to the finals of the College Football Playoffs that the Oregon Ducks‘ defense was greatly outclassed by the offense of the Ohio State Buckeyes — an offense led by a third-string quarterback. Ezekiel Elliott averaged close to seven yards per rush and found the end zone four times. This embarrassing defensive performance on a national stage can, and should, mean just one thing: defensive coordinator Don Pellum needs to be replaced.

Pellum was hired to take over an average Ducks defense this past season that featured stars such as Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Erick Dargan and Arik Armstead, but they took a step backwards. They allowed more than three points per game more than the previous season, and dropped from the No. 3 total defense in the Pac-12 in 2013 with 370.1 yards allowed per game to eighth in the conference in allowing 429.7 yards per contest. Their defense would have been even worse if they hadn’t forced 34 turnovers, which was tied for third in the nation.

Some will argue that their defensive woes can be attributed to their fast-paced tempo on offense, and that might be partially true, but they also failed to step up when it mattered most. The Ducks finished 89th in the FBS in opponent third down conversion percentage, giving up a first down 42.3 percent of the time. They also finished second-to-worst in the FBS in allowing 349 first downs to their opponents. This means that the time they spent on the field and their lack of rest wasn’t just the fault of the offense, but that they weren’t getting quick stops on the defensive side of the ball and were consistently allowing long drives to opposing teams.

In order to remain competitive next season, the Ducks can’t afford to regress again on defense, especially with so many key players graduating. They need to find a different defensive philosophy that will allow them to get more three-and-outs and not allow opposing teams to march up and down the field on their defense. As it stands, their defense is too reliant on turnovers and not enough on their own ability to step up and make plays defensively, and this is why a change needs to be made at defensive coordinator.

Pellum was clearly not the answer for the Ducks this season, and he either needs to be demoted or fired so they can find a philosophy on defense that better fits their team.

Phillip Jacques is a Pac-12 Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google