Oregon Football Extends Contracts of Heyward, Johnson
12/28/17 | Football
University of Oregon head football coach Mario Cristobal announced today that two assistant coaches have signed contract extensions: safeties coach Keith Heyward and wide receivers coach Michael Johnson. Both contracts have been extended through the 2019 season.
"We are excited to extend the contracts of Keith and Michael," said Cristobal. "Keith is a rising star in this industry and played an instrumental role in our remarkable improvement defensively across all metrics, and we look forward to his continued impact in the development of our players. Michael has great experience in developing offensive talent in both college football and the NFL, and his tremendous contributions this season were reflected in the improvement of our young receivers and an offense that scored 40 or more points in seven games in 2017. Both Keith and Michael have a strong commitment to the Oregon program, and their leadership and efforts will continue to provide great value to the Ducks moving forward."
The Oregon defense finished fourth in the Pac-12 in both total defense and interceptions in 2017, with safety Ugochukwu Amadi earning honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors during Heyward's first season on staff. The increase in turnovers forced was also aided by senior safety Tyree Robinson, who intercepted two passes and recovered two fumbles. The 15 interceptions for the Ducks this season ranked 19th nationally, an increase from a ranking of 81st in 2016, while Oregon's 46th overall rank in total defense was a remarkable improvement from a 115th-place finish last season.
In Johnson's first season on the Oregon coaching staff, the Ducks averaged 36 points per game, the third-highest total in the Pac-12. Under Johnson's tutelage, sophomore Dillon Mitchell developed into the team's leader in receptions and receiving yards, while true freshman Johnny Johnson III started 10 games and another true freshman, Jaylon Redd, scored two touchdowns, including one in the Las Vegas Bowl. Additionally, sophomore receiver Brendan Schooler had an impact all over the field, scoring three touchdowns while also earning All-Pac-12 first team honors on special teams.
"We are excited to extend the contracts of Keith and Michael," said Cristobal. "Keith is a rising star in this industry and played an instrumental role in our remarkable improvement defensively across all metrics, and we look forward to his continued impact in the development of our players. Michael has great experience in developing offensive talent in both college football and the NFL, and his tremendous contributions this season were reflected in the improvement of our young receivers and an offense that scored 40 or more points in seven games in 2017. Both Keith and Michael have a strong commitment to the Oregon program, and their leadership and efforts will continue to provide great value to the Ducks moving forward."
The Oregon defense finished fourth in the Pac-12 in both total defense and interceptions in 2017, with safety Ugochukwu Amadi earning honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors during Heyward's first season on staff. The increase in turnovers forced was also aided by senior safety Tyree Robinson, who intercepted two passes and recovered two fumbles. The 15 interceptions for the Ducks this season ranked 19th nationally, an increase from a ranking of 81st in 2016, while Oregon's 46th overall rank in total defense was a remarkable improvement from a 115th-place finish last season.
In Johnson's first season on the Oregon coaching staff, the Ducks averaged 36 points per game, the third-highest total in the Pac-12. Under Johnson's tutelage, sophomore Dillon Mitchell developed into the team's leader in receptions and receiving yards, while true freshman Johnny Johnson III started 10 games and another true freshman, Jaylon Redd, scored two touchdowns, including one in the Las Vegas Bowl. Additionally, sophomore receiver Brendan Schooler had an impact all over the field, scoring three touchdowns while also earning All-Pac-12 first team honors on special teams.
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