Boise State immediately started working to find a new football coach after Bryan Harsin’s departure to Auburn. After much speculation about the names the Broncos could turn to, several reports this week said Oregon’s defensive coordinator Andy Avalos was one of the candidates interviewed for the job. Avalos, a former linebacker from Boise State, is one of the names most closely related to the research.
On Wednesday, KOTV reporter Dan Hawk tweeted that Avalos had interviewed with Boise State. After that report, on Saturday Idaho Press’s Mike Prater tweeted that Andy Avalos and Kellen Moore interviewed and are interested in the work.
“I can confirm, through various sources, that Kellen Moore and Andy Avalos have a keen interest in #BoiseState. Both families on board. Both interviewed. The process included Chris Petersen, by sources. I hope one will be hired this week.” , tweeted Prater.
Football Scoop had previously reported on Saturday that Kellen Moore was a name strongly targeted by Boise State. A former Broncos defender, Moore is now the offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys and would keep Boise State’s offensive identity alive.
As the search started earlier this week, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg and Atlético Bruce Feldman mentioned Avalos and Moore in their initial group of candidates.
Avalos is currently in his second season as a defensive coordinator for Oregon, coming to the Ducks after two seasons in the same position at Boise State. The coordinator is considered a “quick lift” in the coaching world with their success in the field.
In his first year with the Ducks, Avalos turned Oregon’s defense into one of the best units in the country, ranking 9th in the nation in scoring defense. The Ducks’ defense ended the 2019 season with the country’s second largest interception, with 20 and ended the season with a +16 turning margin.
Oregon’s defense suffered a drop in defensive statistics for the 2020 season, but an important factor was the number of opt-outs that the Ducks suffered before the season, especially in the secondary. Oregon saw the likely future NFL First-Round Draft choose safety Jevon Holland, along with cornerback Thomas Graham and safety Brady Breeze.
The Ducks have seen a strong game in defense of the ball of several young highlights. On Tuesday, first-year linebacker Noah Sewell was honored as the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, the second direct Duck to take home that honor after sophomore year Kayvon Thibodeaux, who won the award in 2019. Thibodeaux and sophomore cornerback Mykael Wright, two selections from Oregon were appointed to defend the All-Pac-12 First Team on Tuesday.
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