EUGENE, Ore. -- Oregon athletic director Mike Bellotti is stepping down after less than a year in the position to take a job with ESPN.
"I want everyone to know I'm not running from anything at all," Bellotti said during a press conference late Friday morning. "
Bellotti was head coach of the Ducks for 14 seasons before he formally took over as athletic director on July 1. He'll make his debut as a college football analyst for ESPN on April 17.
Details: ESPN info. on Bellotti's new job
"As difficult as this is for the University of Oregon and for Duck fans everywhere, we recognize that this is an incredible opportunity for Coach Bellotti," University of Oregon President Richard W. Lariviere said in a statement released Friday. "Mike Bellotti will always be an icon at the University of Oregon and we wish him all the best as he embarks on this exciting new career."
While he was the Ducks' most successful football coach ever, Bellotti's short time as AD has been tumultuous. Earlier this week, he dismissed basketball coach Ernie Kent because of losses and dropping attendance.
He's also seen a spate of player misconduct on the football team. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was suspended for the upcoming season after pleading guilty to a second-degree burglary charge. Star running back LaMichael James pleaded guilty on an unrelated harassment charge and was suspended by Coach Chip Kelly for a game.
Bellotti fielded questions at a press conference last week and said he felt responsible for the troubled players, many of whom he recruited.
Complete coverage: Ducks coach defends football program
During his time as head football coach, Bellotti was the Ducks’ winningest football coach of all time. He guided Oregon to the No. 2 ranking in the country and a Fiesta Bowl win following the 2001 season, led the school to 12 bowl appearances and accumulated the second-most victories (116) of any program in the Pac-10.
More: Bellotti bio on Ducks Web site
Bellotti joined the Ducks as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Rich Brooks in 1989.
As for his AD position, the 59-year-old Bellotti had already been named as the successor to Pat Kilkenny when he took office last July. Chip Kelly had been promoted in March from offensive coordinator to head coach.
Bellotti said he will continue to make Eugene his home. His first broadcast will be the Auburn spring football game on ESPNU.
