Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Oregon, Stanford coaches a mirror of success
Share This Post
Comments
Wednesday, November 6, 2013 - 2:30pm

STANFORD (AP) Oregon coach Mark Helfrich and Stanford's David Shaw shared some laughs when they met for the first time this offseason during an annual Pac-12 Conference meeting.

Although they had never talked before, the similar circumstances that brought them together made them feel like they had known each other for years. Both had been promoted from offensive coordinator to replace popular predecessors, Chip Kelly and Jim Harbaugh, after each moved on to NFL jobs.

"You take over and everybody says, `Who?'" Shaw said. "But at the same time, both of us are coaching lifers that don't care about what our name means or trying to take the limelight. It's just about being smart football coaches and recruiting great players and keeping great coaches and giving them a chance to do what they do."

Nobody is questioning either coach's credentials this week.

Helfrich has No. 2 Oregon (8-0, 5-0) undefeated heading into Thursday night's matchup at sixth-ranked Stanford (7-1, 5-1) in what has once again shaped up as the Pac-12's game of the year. All Shaw has done is go 30-5 since taking over in 2011, leading the Cardinal to a conference championship and the program's first Rose Bowl victory in 41 years last season.

Both coaches are quick to credit the other for sticking with what worked already and not making any major changes, even if it means not getting the same recognition as their predecessors.

Shaw stayed with the power running game and physical defense that Harbaugh built before leaving for the San Francisco 49ers after the 2010 season. And while Kelly is with the Philadelphia Eagles now, Oregon's up-tempo offense and aggressive approach - faking punts, not punting on fourth down and going for two-point conversions - are still staples in Helfrich's first season.

"It was very similar in terms of what they've done and what we've done has been really good and how can we do it a little bit better," Helfrich said. "Not, `How can I come and change this so everyone thinks it's my idea?' As soon as you start doing that, you lose focus. The biggest thing in all of this is what your players believe in, what they can perform the best, how your program can continue to ascend because of what they do. I think we have a very similar approach in that way."

Both coaches saw no reason to overhaul their programs. They inherited championship contenders led by Heisman Trophy favorites - Marcus Mariota at Oregon, and Andrew Luck at Stanford - in their first season, which brought the added pressure of keeping pace on the national stage.

Some changes still had to be made. Shortly after Shaw opened his first spring practice, he noticed some defensive players were not quite as comfortable with him yet, a few maybe even unsure of his abilities.

Shaw, now 41, said that when an offensive player made a mistake or took a "cheap shot" at a defensive player, he made sure to call them out in front of the entire team "just to show that I'm not the offensive coordinator who's sitting in the coach's office."

"It was kind of a seamless transition," Stanford linebacker A.J. Tarpley said. "We didn't change much as a team. We kept a lot of the same coaches and all the players can all lean on each other."

Helfrich, who turned 40 last week, hasn't dealt with such challenges yet - though he's in the honeymoon phase of his tenure, avoiding the kinds of questions and criticisms that come after losses.

But players praise Helfrich in similar fashion. He has carried on the culture that Kelly started, and that attitude no longer seems tied to just the head coach.

"It's the Oregon way," linebacker Derrick Malone said.

The most noticeable difference with the past and present coaches is the way they carry themselves.

While Harbaugh was constantly screaming at officials, waving his arms and pumping-up players by smacking their helmets, Shaw rarely shows emotion or screams on the sideline. Helfrich also comes off as more approachable and personable than Kelly, who often publicly challenged players and got defensive with reporters.

"I wouldn't say that we're both low key. I would say quietly competitive," Shaw said. "I would say we both lean toward the cerebral approach as opposed to the emotional approach. We both talk in the same tones."

And although their teams form the most talked-about rivalry in the Pac-12 North right now, don't expect either coach to antagonize the other the way Harbaugh and Kelly often did.

"As much as everybody would hate to hear it," Shaw said, "we actually get along really well."

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

McLellan: We made strides but we weren't at our best
Highlights: Niemi's stuggles continue as Sharks drop another shootout
Three and Out: Injuries aplenty; passing woes; Aldon's role
Brooks: 'They made more plays than we did'

Giants

Report: Dodgers willing to deal Kemp, Ethier
Report: Murton, Messenger to stay in Japan
Report: Yankees going all in on Japan's Masahiro Tanaka
Carlos Beltran seeks three or four-year deal
Read More

Athletics

A's have decisions as arbitration date nears
Report: Teams lining up for Hudson
Young Ranger southpaw signs new contract
Las Vegas favors A's to Giants in 2014
Read More

Sharks

Sharks' shootout struggles continue in Winnipeg
Sharks have another OT goal disallowed in loss
Instant Replay: Shootout defeat puts Sharks' losing streak at five
Sharks seeking better work ethic against Jets
Read More

49ers

Saints improve to 7-2 ahead of showdown with 49ers
49ers dangerously close to becoming one-dimensional operation
Your Sunday was probably better than Colin Kaepernick's
Aldon Smith returns to limited role in 49ers' defense
Read More

Raiders

Will Jennings cut into McFadden's carries?
Raiders defense plays better, still not good enough
Pryor's knee balks, so does Raiders passing game
Pryor's knee balks, so does Raiders passing game
Read More

Warriors

Spurs coach Popovich: Warriors are 'for real'
Warriors better for the experience after road trip
Celtics beat Heat with buzzer-beating three pointer
Instant Replay: Warriors drop second straight, lose to Grizzlies
Read More

NCAA

No. 16 Fresno State dismantles Wyoming
San Jose State falls at home to San Diego State
Cal dismantled by USC 62-28
Cal rolls to 83-64 win over Coppin State
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G.
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

Report: Dodgers willing to deal Kemp, Ethier
(59)
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Report: Murton, Messenger to stay in Japan
Report: Yankees going all in on Japan's Masahiro Tanaka
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

What is the market like for Wilson?
What is the market like for Wilson?
See more >

GIANTS TALK

Carlos Beltran seeks three or four-year deal
Pros and Cons: Should Giants go after Masahiro Tanaka?

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

A's have decisions as arbitration date nears
Joe Stiglich

More Stories

Report: Teams lining up for Hudson
Young Ranger southpaw signs new contract
(2)
See more >

A's VIDEO

Are Balfour and Colon's days in Oakland over?
Are Balfour and Colon's days in Oakland over?
See more >

A's TALK

Las Vegas favors A's to Giants in 2014
MLB team executives shying away from Colon
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

Sharks' shootout struggles continue in Winnipeg
Kevin Kurz

More Stories

Sharks have another OT goal disallowed in loss
Instant Replay: Shootout defeat puts Sharks' losing streak at five
(3)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

McLellan: We made strides but we weren't at our best
McLellan: We made strides but we weren't at our best
See more >

Features

Sharks seeking better work ethic against Jets
Setoguchi 'more mature' since trade from Sharks

SHARKS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Spurs coach Popovich: Warriors are 'for real'
(3)
ProBasketballTalk

More Stories

Warriors better for the experience after road trip
(13)
Celtics beat Heat with buzzer-beating three pointer
(1)
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

Highlights: Curry's return not enough against Grizzlies
Highlights: Curry's return not enough against Grizzlies
See more >

Features

Instant Replay: Warriors drop second straight, lose to Grizzlies
Stephen Curry will play vs. Grizzlies

MONTE POOLE

There is no data to display.

  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Kings' fourth-quarter push falls short vs. Blazers
Associated Press

More Stories

Preview: Kings get immediate shot at revenge against Blazers
Kings fall to Blazers despite 35 from Cousins
See more >

Watch

Highlights: Kings' effort not enough against Trail Blazers
Highlights: Kings' effort not enough against Trail Blazers
See more >

Features

Preview: Kings look to patch up defense against Blazers
Hawks' Schroder suspended for striking Kings' Cousins in groin

Fantasy Hoops

  • The Daily Dose: Dose: Durant's Triple-double
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy 49ers Tickets
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Insider Matt Maiocco

Latest News

Saints improve to 7-2 ahead of showdown with 49ers
Associated Press

More Stories

49ers dangerously close to becoming one-dimensional operation
(14)
Your Sunday was probably better than Colin Kaepernick's
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Three and Out: Injuries aplenty; passing woes; Aldon's role
Three and Out: Injuries aplenty; passing woes; Aldon's role
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Week 8 Rewind: 49ers set the tone in rout of Jags
(13)
Matt Maiocco

49ers INSIDER

  • Luck shines pro day spotlight on teammate Fleener
  • Lessons from Camp Alex rubbed off on S.J. State star
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy Raiders Tickets
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Insider Scott Bair

Latest News

Will Jennings cut into McFadden's carries?
(5)
Scott Bair

More Stories

Raiders defense plays better, still not good enough
(1)
Pryor's knee balks, so does Raiders passing game
(10)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

Three and out: Raiders can't finish, defense responds well
Three and out: Raiders can't finish, defense responds well
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Week 9 Rewind: Raiders must rebound after crushing loss
(27)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

First steel column laid in Quakes' new stadium
(1)
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Earthquakes to open Levi's Stadium
(5)
Quakes sign Mark Watson to multi-year contract as head coach
(1)
See more >

Watch

Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Pros and Cons: Should Giants go after Masahiro Tanaka?
(49)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Warriors better for the experience after road trip
(13)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Aldon Smith returns to limited role in 49ers' defense
(3)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Will Jennings cut into McFadden's carries?
(5)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks' shootout struggles continue in Winnipeg
See more >

CASEY PRATT

RAY RATTO

49ers dangerously close to becoming one-dimensional operation

TOP STORIES

  • No. 16 Fresno State dismantles Wyoming
  • San Jose State falls at home to San Diego State
  • Cal dismantled by USC 62-28

AFF

Enter here for the chance to win a pair of tickets to Authentic Fan Friday!

FOLLOW @CSNAUTHENTIC

@CSNAuthentic on Twitter

Facebook.com/CSNBayArea

CSN on Instagram

TEXT ALERTS

Be the first to know. Sign up for breaking news text alerts!

NCAA

Cal rolls to 83-64 win over Coppin State
Waldow leads Gaels past LA Tech

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Preps
  • Biz Ball
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

McLellan: We made strides but we weren't at our best
McLellan: We made strides but we weren't at our best
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Romo's Relief
  • Humm BB
  • Diamond Girls
  • Bullshootin'
  • Amy G.’s Exclusives
  • Learning with the Pros

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo! SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers Insider
  • Scott Bair - Raiders Insider
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks Insider
  • Casey Pratt - Field of Teams
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California