Oregon Ducks football names interim coach for Alamo Bowl

Oregon Athletic Director Rob Mullens has named pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon interim head football coach for the Alamo Bowl.

McClendon came to Oregon in 2020 after spending four years as an assistant coach at South Carolina, including the final two as offensive coordinator. He began his coaching career at Georgia – his alma mater – from 2007 to 2015, earning a promotion to assistant head coach ahead of his final season with the Bulldogs. McClendon served as Georgia’s interim head coach for the 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl after Mark Richt was fired.

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“We appreciate Coach McClendon agreeing to accept a leadership role in providing the best possible bowl experience for our student-athletes,” Mullens said in a statement. “His previous experience as an interim head coach is valuable for our program as we prepare for the Alamo Bowl, and we are grateful for his willingness to step up and assume this responsibility for Oregon football.”

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With former head coach Mario Cristobal heading to the University of Miami Hurricanes, most of his coaching staff is expected to join him in Coral Gables. At least the Ducks were able to find a coach in McClendon who has experience in this difficult position.

More: Mario Cristobal leaving Ducks to coach Miami Hurricanes

It remains to be seen how motivated the Ducks players will be to play in the Alamo Bowl after a 38-10 devastating loss to Utah along with losing their head coach within a span of three days.

Contact Register-Guard sportswriter Antwan Staley at astaley@registerguard.com and follow him on Twitter @antwanstaley.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon football names interim coach for Alamo Bowl