{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"title":"Zach Arnett","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Arnett.jpg","credit":"Joe Robbins/Getty Images","published":1610496429,"caption":"

Prior Experience: San Diego State DC (2018-19), Mississippi State DC (2020)

Why It Makes Sense: Having gotten his start on the West Coast as the Aztec's defensive coordinator, Arnett already has West Coast ties before joining Mike Leach's staff in the SEC.

In his first season as Bulldogs defensive coordinator, Arnett coached his unit to rank fifth in the SEC despite many injuries and opt-outs. His 3-3-5 scheme could help get the Ducks talented secondary and linebacker prospects on the field, as well.

He also reportedly interviewed for the position Monday, January 11th.

"},{"title":"Will Muschamp","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/USATSI_13719229.jpg","credit":"Independent Mail file, The Greenville News via Imagn Content","published":1608754840,"caption":"

Prior Experience: Texas DC (2008-10), Florida HC (2011-14), Auburn DC (2015), South Carolina HC (2016-20)

Why It Makes Sense: While at Texas, he was one of the nation's best defensive coordinators before accepting the head coaching job at Florida. Now two failed SEC stints later, he can still coach defense which is what he'd be tasked with at Oregon. Hiring a fired SEC coach was the route Cristobal took with Joe Moorhead last year and that hire was also a home run.

He's been rumored to return to Texas, however.

"},{"title":"Tosh Lupoi","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/USATSI_11991799_168393342_lowres.jpg","credit":"Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports","published":1610148643,"caption":"

Prior Experience: California D Line coach (2008-2011), Washington D Line coach (2012-13), Alabama defensive analyst (2014-15), Alabama OLB Coach (2016-17), Alabama Co-defensive coordinator (2017), Alabama Defensive coordinator (2018), Cleveland Browns D line coach (2019), Atlanta Falcons run game coordinator and defensive line coach (2020)

Why It Makes Sense: He and Cristobal coached together at Alabama before the current Ducks head coach left to become the co-offensive coordinator at Oregon.

While at California and Alabama, Lupoi was one of the primary recruiters for seven different five-star recruits including Najee Harris, Tua Tagovailia, Keenan Allen, and Dylan Moses.

"},{"title":"Keith Heyward ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/USATSI_13612196.jpg","credit":"ayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports","published":1608755205,"caption":"

Prior Experience: Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties and Assistant Head Coach for Oregon Ducks (been with Oregon since 2017).

Why It Makes Sense: If Oregon wants to promote from within, Heyward seems like the guy to get the gig.

He's the co-defensive coordinator in name as of now and was among the favorites to land the promotion before Cristobal hired Avalos two summers ago.

Now, it may be time for him to get his chance.

"},{"title":"Bert Watts","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/bert1.jpeg","credit":"KIEL MADDOX // FRESNO STATE ATHLETICS","published":1610154845,"caption":"

Prior Experience: UC Davis DC (2013-2016), Fresno State Linebackers (2017), Fresno State DC (2018-19), Memphis Linebackers (2020)

Why It Makes Sense: Watts coached some of the nation's best defenses while at Fresno State where in 2018, the Bulldogs ranked third nationally in scoring defense, first in red zone defense, third in scoring defense, fourth in passes intercepted, fifth in passing efficiency defense, and ninth in turnover margin.

"},{"title":"Bryan Brown","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/USATSI_12147065_168393342_lowres.jpg","credit":"Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal","published":1610146960,"caption":"

Prior Experience: Appalachian State DC (2017-2019), Louisville DC (2020)

Why It Makes Sense: Before leaving for the Louisville job, he coached the nation's No. 4 defense in the FBS in fewest yards per play allowed. Then at Louisville, his defense ranked 5th in the ACC at 26.6 points allowed per game, an improvement from allowing 33.4 points per game in 2019 which was the worst in the ACC.

"},{"title":"Kevin Steele","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/USATSI_15314568_168393342_lowres.jpg","credit":"Julie Bennett/Montgomery Advertiser via Imagn Content Servic","published":1608755736,"caption":"

Prior Experience: Auburn DC (2016-20).

Why It Makes Sense: Steele had impressed Auburn's boosters enough to be the favorite to replace Gus Malzahn as head coach before that lost momentum and Bryan Harsin was hired instead.

Now with Kevin Steele reportedly not joining Harsin's staff, he'll be a free agent and likely headed to LSU. But, Oregon should give him a call. He was one of the best in the SEC these past few years, coached against Cristobal in 2019 (remember Cristobal mentioned coaching against Avalos in the Vegas Bowl as a reason he hired him), and would be a home run hire.

"},{"title":"Derek Mason ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/USATSI_15138223_168393342_lowres.jpg","credit":"George Walker IV / Tennessean.com via Imagn Content Services","published":1608755823,"caption":"

Prior Experience: Stanford DC (2012-13), Vanderbilt (2014-20).

Why It Makes Sense: Not only has Mason successfully coordinated in the Pac-12 before but he also has spent the last several years recruiting in SEC country.

Like Moorhead, he could be another hire of a fired SEC head coach as Cristobal brings a lot of "SEC mentality" to Oregon's program. However, he's reportedly expected to become Auburn's defensive coordinator.

"},{"title":"Jeremy Pruitt ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/USATSI_15306077_168393342_lowres.jpg","credit":"George Walker IV / Tennessean.com via Imagn Content Services","published":1608755951,"caption":"

Prior Experience: Alabama DC (2016-17), Tennessee HC (2018-present).

Why It Makes Sense: There have been rumors of Pruitt being fired from Knoxville for months now, but at the moment it looks like his job could be safe.

However should that change, Oregon can do a lot worse. Pruitt has SEC experience at Alabama and Georgia as a defensive coordinator and while he and Cristobal never coached together, they both come from Nick Saban's tree.

"},{"title":"Glenn Schumann","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/GettyImages-10453086fghj84.jpg","credit":"Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images","published":1608755998,"caption":"

Prior Experience: Georgia Co-Defensive Coordinator/ILB (2019-present).

Why It Makes Sense: Oregon hired a young up-and-comer in Andy Avalos and could do the same here with the 30-year-old coordinator.

In his first season as co-defensive coordinator, Georgia's defense was the best team defense in the nation, allowing only 12.6 points per game and 276 yards per game

Also, Cristobal did hire Aaron Feld from Georgia which has been a home run hire for him.

"},{"title":"Karl Scott","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/EpsOv8iWMAApTwc.jpeg","credit":"@iamcoachscott ","published":1609645246,"caption":"

Prior Experience: Alabama Cornerbacks coach (2019-present).

Why It Makes Sense: Scott was rated the nation's second-best recruiting assistant coach in the country for the 2021 recruiting cycle.

With Cristobal's emphasis on recruiting, getting someone as great as Scott in that realm could be a nice hire.

"},{"title":"Chris Ash","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/USATSI_15240622.jpg","credit":"American Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK","published":1610145841,"caption":"

Prior Experience: Wisconsin DC (2012-13), Rutgers HC (2016-2019), Texas DC (2020).

Why It Makes Sense: It's possible Ash will not be retained with Steve Sarkisian being named Texas' new head coach.

He ran good defenses while at Wisconsin and was ranked as the nation's 57th best recruiting assistant coach for the 2021 cycle, including being the primary recruiter for five-star athlete Ja'Tavion Sanders.

"},{"title":"Mike MacIntyre","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/USATSI_14000876_168393342_lowres.jpg","credit":"Ariel Cobbert/The Commercial Appeal, Memphis Commercial Appe","published":1610146103,"caption":"

Prior Experience: Colorado HC (2013-2018), Ole Miss DC (2019), Memphis DC (2020).

Why It Makes Sense: He has experience as a head coach in the Pac-12 being the Buffaloes head coach for several seasons including being named Pac-12 and AP Coach of the Year in 2016.

His Tigers defense ranked 88th nationally in yards allowed per game in 2020, however, so he should be lower on the list.

"},{"title":"Clayton White","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/EUPuODOWkAIVt81.jpeg","credit":"@coachwhitewku","published":1610146579,"caption":"

Prior Experience: Western Kentucky DC (2017-present).

Why It Makes Sense: White was named a coordinator to watch by The Athletic's Bruce Feldman heading into the 2020 season after a 2019 campaign in which WKU ranked sixth nationally in third down defense, held opponents to just 20.1 points per game and third-least missed tackles in the nation.

"}]}

Oregon Ducks: Candidates to replace Andy Avalos as Oregon Defensive Coordinator