Bellotti Ready to Call it Quits?

The bowl game ended. His family members formed a flying-wedge formation behind him on the Qualcomm Stadium field. And Oregon coach Mike Bellotti talked football with a cracking voice, and through a pair of glassy eyes. It was Oregon 42, Oklahoma State 31 in the Holiday Bowl on Tuesday. Bellotti was unusually emotional. And while he insists he’s made no imminent decision regarding his future as head football coach, this felt a lot like the end of a successful era, didn’t it? One of the great arts in life is timing. Knowing when to leave. Realizing the very instant your mission has been accomplished. That time feels like it’s arrived for Bellotti at Oregon. Do not be surprised if there’s an announcement today by Bellotti. Or maybe in a few weeks. Or more reasonably an announcement comes shortly after February’s national signing day deadline passes, to ensure continuity for heir assistant Chip Kelly. While beating the pants off the Big 12 Conference representative to this bowl was a great moment for a football program and a proud moment for the Pacific-10 Conference, it felt a lot like the perfect goodbye for Bellotti. – Oregonian