Mario Cristobal

Mario Cristobal was named the University of Oregon’s 34th head football coach on Dec. 8, 2017.

Cristobal, who possesses nearly 20 years of coaching experience along with a reputation as a top recruiter, was named the Ducks’ head coach after spending the 2017 season as Oregon’s co-offensive coordinator, run-game coordinator and offensive line coach. He had previously been named Oregon’s interim head coach for the Dec. 16 Las Vegas Bowl against Boise State.

In his first year at Oregon, Cristobal directed a stellar Oregon run-game as the Ducks finished the regular season with more than 3,000 yards on the ground, averaging 268 yards rushing per game. The Ducks’ rushing offense was ranked eighth in the FBS at the end of the regular season.

The Ducks scored 40 rushing touchdowns during Cristobal’s first season, the most since 2014, averaging 5.4 yards per rush. Senior running back Royce Freeman ran for 122.92 yards per game, ranking 11th in the country while scoring 16 rushing touchdowns, tied for 12th-most in the country.

In seven starts by sophomore quarterback Justin Herbert, the Ducks’ offensive line allowed him to be sacked just six times. Under Cristobal, standout senior left tackle Tyrell Crosby allowed only three quarterback hurries and no sacks on his way to being named an Outland Trophy candidate and the recipient of the Morris Trophy as the top offensive lineman in the Pac-12. Freeman, center Jake Hanson and tackle Calvin Throckmorton also earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention under Cristobal.