In a press conference broadcast live on GoDucks.com, head coach Chip Kelly announced the punishments for three of his players involved in legal incidents this offseason.
And the second one he announced during the presser was a somewhat unexpected bombshell that has the potential to shake-up the collegiate landscape in 2010.
According to Kelly, starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli — the All-Pac-10 quarterback who would’ve appeared on several preseason Heisman Watch lists — has been suspended for the entire 2010 season.
Masoli pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery earlier this afternoon.
Kelly said that Masoli has a redshirt year available to him if he chooses to come back to the team, but reiterated that Masoli will not be on the field in in a Ducks uniform in 2010.
(Of course, Kelly said the same thing about LeGarrette Blount last year, so, OK.)
Running back LaMichael James and kicker Rob Beard have been suspended for the season opener for their legal issues the past couple of months. There’s a chance that James could be suspended for a longer period of time if he does not stay in line with a program that will be set up for him.
Obviously, though, the big news is Masoli being suspended for the entire 2010 season.
Needless to say,. we’ll have more on this as the events develop…
UPDATE 8:42 p.m. ET: Oregon President Richard Lariviere has released a statement on the “situation” the Oregon football program finds itself in this evening:
“The University of Oregon expects all of its students to be responsible, law-abiding members of our community. Recently, several UO student-athletes admitted that they failed to meet these basic expectations and, as a result, they will face consequences.
“I have discussed with Coach Kelly the serious nature of the criminal situations for these young men. I am confident that Coach Kelly has carefully and fairly considered the disciplinary actions he is imposing. I know that he understands the high expectations of Oregon’s faculty, students and fans.”
Thank you.
GREAT move by Kelly. Swift, and more importantly, people will be surprised at how little this impacts the Ducks.
Right. I’ll believe it when I see it. Once they lose a few games I’m sure his stance will change.
Wonder what the odds are in Vegas that Masoli is back on the field before the end of the season?
I thought you could not use your redshirt if you were suspended?
By “entire 2010 season” we mean 6 games? 7? 8?
Ducks will just have to start recruiting earlier this year from their new found “Anger Management Help Center” circuit! James got exactly what he should have gotten – 1 game. He is not a bad guy..just used bad judgement 1 time. Masoli got what he deserved…1 year. He is a sketch guy who planned something bad and has used bad judgement multiple times. Besides…he has delivery problems over the middle and in the flats.
Today (day of star players arraignment) was Kelly’s anniversary date (3/13) in replacing Bellotti…Happy Anniversary Coach!
It doesn’t matter if he goes back to Oregon. He’s eligible to play in the NFL and may opt to do so. Given what’s going on in recent years he’ll fit right in as a crook.
BWWWAAA HAAA HAAA… suspended for the entire season…. hmmmm, where have we hear that one before… oh yeah, Coach Kelly said that last year after his thug Blount sucker punched a Boise State player after losing. I’m guessing this ‘suspended for the season’ tenure will last about 2 games when Masoli spits out a feigned tearful apology and he is reinstated.
Are they going to have enough players left to have a team next year? New alternate uniform, prison stripes.
After the Buckeyes smacked the “unstoppable” Quackers in Pasadena going on 3 months ago, the team has done nothing but implode since.
Kelly will cave just as he did with Blount and this turd will return to the field at some point next season. His best bet is to just make the NFL jump right now – maybe the Browns would be interested or better yet – Masoli would fit right in with the criminal element in Cincy.
I am in agreeance with the “yeah right” mindset. Let’s see how long this suspension really ends up being. The root of the problems seems to be when Mike Belotti was “promoted” to AD and Kelly striingarmed his way to Head Coach! Belotti never had these kinds of issues.
I don’t know much about these guys or their character, but I will say this. I sure did enjoy watching Masoli run over linebackers and safeties in that bowl game a couple seasons again. That was hilarious. I like the playing style of this kid, wish I could see him do the same some more, but that would only be at the college level of course.
As for the Duck’s season, they will be in the preseason top 25. Question is, will they stay there… Pac-10 is up for grabs once again.
i cannot believe how stupid all you people are. I cant imagine how bad you wanna be masoli, to atleast have people know your name. your guys are lameos who sit at home and bag on people out there in the spotlight. anyway…
You idiots who know nothing. if you think Kelly is gonna bring him back. GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT. he has been suspended by the NCAA for the 2010 season. there is no chance of masoli seeing any field time.
Lamichael: i am close to the situation and this has been the biggest joke in eugene. Lamichael didnt grab or strangle his ex girlfriend. He had been avoiding her staying away from places she would be. She followed him and harrassed him and attacked him. He grabbed her by the collar and stopped everything in its tracks. The girl is crazy, her story doesnt match up and her reporting about it 3 days later makes it a joke.
You guys forget how many problems usc had before it became a glorified school. Florida, Texas, Alabama! you have to be kidding me when you say Oregon is worse than these schools. Yes what happened to oregon in a matter of a few months was very eye popping. BUt common people, if you want a big time program lets face it. you get thugs. how its been. how it will always be. If anything this is a slap to the NCAA for allowing players to get away with so much even getting into these universities.
DONT BLAME OREGON, BLAME THE GAME.
oregon still pac 10 champs. STill gonna be a preseason top 10. and GONNA BE BACK TO BACK PAC 10 CHAMPS. Masoli was just a crutch until thoms was ready. YOU NOW UNLEASHED THE BEAST.