Joe Moorhead addresses reports linking him to Oregon departure
It was reported over the weekend that Oregon offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead is the leading candidate to become the next head coach at Akron.
Moorhead met with reporters Tuesday for the first time since the report and was asked if he has been contacted by Akron or any other university.
“Certainly it’s the time of year where the carousel is spinning — very quickly in some instances,” Moorhead said. “I’ve heard and seen my name attached to multiple openings this cycle and, quite frankly, the last two years.
“All I can say is all my focus and attention is on doing the things that are necessary to help our offense prepare to play well on Saturday.”
Moorhead is in his second season as Oregon’s offensive coordinator. The Ducks are third in the Pac-12 in both points per game and yards per game this season and are noticeably better in both areas than they were in 2020.
His current Oregon contract pays him $1.15 million annually and runs through Jan. 2023.
Widely considered one of the brightest offensive minds in college football, Moorhead is also a highly-coveted head coaching candidate because of his past experience running a program.
He was the head coach at Fordham from 2012-15 and the head coach at Mississippi State prior to his arrival at Oregon.
Moorhead was asked about his decision-making process when head coaching opportunities arise and was candid with his response.
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“They have, and they will continue to (arise),” Moorhead said. “But the three criteria I’ve always used, in this order, are personal, professional, and monetary. How does the decision affect you and your family, and how does it fit them? Professionally, you have a chance to go somewhere where you can either sustain success or rebuild.
“The monetary part — everybody likes money. I mean, growing up my dad was a steelworker who had three jobs. We were the lowest end of middle class you can be.
“I still don’t even know my ATM code; I have to ask my wife for money. So the money part, yeah, we have some money. But I don’t have any in my wallet and I have to ask her for an allowance. So that part is a little further down the trough.”
Moorhead said Oregon’s players have not raised concerns with him regarding the reports of his potential departure.
“There’s nothing,” Moorhead said. “We’re preparing and getting ready to play the game. We’ll deal with anything that happens after that.
“We’re so myopic and focused on what we’re doing right now that (players) understand. Coach Cristobal creates a culture of no distractions. It hasn’t even been brought up.”
