Former Oregon football assistant will join Nevada staff

Former Oregon football assistant coach Jim Mastro is set to become the Nevada director of football operations, per The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman. Mastro previously said he would not take an on-field coaching job this upcoming season because of family health issues.

Mastro has more than 30 years of experience, spending the past four as the Ducks’ running backs coach. He joined Mario Cristobal’s staff in 2018, but did not follow the coach to Miami this offseason.

The coach spent 11 seasons at Nevada from 2000-2010, so he knows the program well. His Wolfpack teams enjoyed plenty of success, even leading the country in rushing (344.9 yards per game) in 2009. That same year, Nevada became the only school in history to finish with three 1,000-yard rushers in the same season.

He used that track record to earn a job in the Pac-12 with UCLA before moving on to Washington State, where he coached from 2012-17.

Mastro’s return to Nevada will be a welcome sight given his history with the program. The Wolfpack finished 8-5 this past season, falling in the Quick Lane Bowl against Western Michigan. They have finished with a winning record in four consecutive seasons.

Wolfpack coach Jay Norvell left this offseason to become the coach at Colorado State. Nevada hired Ken Wilson, who coached with Wilson at Oregon, Washington State and Nevada, as his replacement.

Mastro has another important connection with the current Nevada staff. He coached Vai Taua, the associate head coach and main cog in that famed 2009 rushing attack. His brother, Toa Taua, was the Wolfpack’s leading rusher this past season with 732 yards and six touchdowns.

Toa Taua has already announced that he plans to return for the 2022 season. Perhaps his brother and Mastro can help him recreate the success the Wolfpack backfield had not so long ago.

Nevada is set to open the 2022 season on Aug. 27 against the New Mexico State Aggies.