Defensive line coach Joe Salave’a pens Oregon goodbye, Miami football likely next
Joe Salave’a who was the defensive line coach at Oregon under Mario Cristobal penned what appears to be a goodbye to Oregon following the Ducks Alamo Bowl loss to Oklahoma on Thursday. Salave’a is projected to join the Miami football staff after coaching under interim Oregon head coach Bryan McClendon.
McClendon coached the Oregon wide receivers this year and is projected to join the Miami football staff with Salave’a. Salave’a is being replaced at Oregon by former Nebraska defensive line coach Tony Tuioti. Joe Salave’a began his coaching career as the defensive line coach at San Jose State following a 14 year NFL career.
After a two-year stint at San Jose State, Salave’a returned to his alma mater Arizona to coach for one season in 2011. Salave’a left Arizona to become the assistant DL coach and assistant head coach at Washington State in 2012. After four seasons in Pullman, Salave’a left to join Cristobal’s staff in Eugene.
Oregon was 100th nationally this season averaging five tackles for loss this season. The Ducks were 104th averaging 1.64 sacks per game. Those are numbers that have to be improved. That included having defensive end, Kayvon Thibodeaux who is likely to be a top-five pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
THANK YOU to every player on @oregonfootball especially the BIGS upfront #TrenchMonstas for allowing me the great honor to mentor & coach you. You are a blessing to me & my family. DARE GREATLY in all that you do! THANK YOU to the University of Oregon & Duck fans!
— Joe Salave'a (@CoachJsalavea) December 30, 2021
💥 👊🏾 💥 pic.twitter.com/xCEYCMkBvk
Thibodeaux had 12 TFLs and seven sacks for Oregon in 2021. As a team, Oregon had 70 TFLs and 23 sacks. Graduating DE Deandre Johnson and rising sophomore Leonard Taylor led Miami with 8.5 TFLs. Zach McCloud who is also graduating led Miami with 5.5 sacks. Two Oregon DL were named first-team All-Pac 12.
Brandon Dorlus and Thibodeaux both earned first-team All-Pac 12. Dorlus had seven TFLs and 2.5 sacks. Oregon DL Popo Aumave earned honorable mention All Pac 12. Once Miami Salave’a is officially hired by Miami, he can work with Cristobal and the new defensive coordinator recruiting DL.
Next. What to expect from New Miami OL coach Alex Mirabal. dark
Five-star 2022 Monsignor Pace DL Shemar Stewart will be the top prospect Miami will recruit before National Signing Day on February 2. Stewart is projected to sign with Texas A&M. Expect Miami to be active in the transfer portal to add one more DL. Jacob Lichtenstein transfered from USC to Miami in December.