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Mike Bellotti
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Mike Bellotti
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Robert Michael Bellotti (born December 21, 1950) is an American college football analyst for ESPN and ABC.[1] He was with the University of Oregon's football program for over 20 years serving as offensive coordinator for six years, head coach for 14 years, and athletic director for one year. Bellotti is the winningest coach in Oregon football history and is credited with building the program into a major football power.[2] He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014.[3]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Bellotti attended Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord, California, where he played football, basketball and baseball and graduated in 1969.[4] After high school, he went to the University of California, Davis and played football at the positions of tight end and wide receiver. He started at tight end as a sophomore and junior, then earned second-team all-Far Western Conference honors at wide receiver as senior.[4] Bellotti graduated from UC Davis with a B.A. in Physical Education in 1973. He completed the teaching credential program at UC Davis in 1974. In 1982, Bellotti earned his Master of Science degree in Physical Education at California State University, East Bay (then known as Cal State-Hayward).[5] He is an alumnus of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity.

Coaching career

[edit]

UC Davis

[edit]

In 1973, Bellotti started his career in football coaching at his alma mater as an assistant coach under College Football Hall of Fame coach Jim Sochor.[6] The next season, he worked as the JV team's offensive coordinator, and during the 1975 and 1976 seasons he was the JV team's head coach. Also at that time, he served as the receivers coach for the varsity team and as a coach for UC Davis' JV baseball team.

Cal State Hayward

[edit]

Bellotti was hired at California State University, Hayward (Cal State Hayward or CSU-Hayward; now California State University, East Bay) in 1977 and worked as the offensive coordinator for two seasons. He returned to the school as offensive coordinator in 1980, and remained until 1983. In 1982, he earned a master's degree from the school in physical education.

Weber State

[edit]

In 1979, Bellotti served as offensive coordinator at Weber State University, returning to CSU-Hayward after just one season.

Chico State

[edit]

California State University, Chico (Chico State) hired Bellotti to serve as their head football coach in 1984. He remained head coach until 1988 and compiled a record of 21–25–2. His record in the Northern California Athletic Conference was 15–9–2.[7]

Oregon

[edit]

University of Oregon head coach Rich Brooks hired Bellotti as offensive coordinator in 1989. Bellotti remained in that position through the 1994 season, when Brooks left to coach in the National Football League, and Bellotti was promoted to head coach starting with the 1995 season.

Bellotti's record at Oregon stands at 116–55. In 2006, he passed his former boss, Rich Brooks, as the winningest football coach in Oregon's history. He led the Ducks to their first four ten-win seasons in school history (2000, 2001, 2005, 2008); they had only won nine games on three occasions in the 100 years before Bellotti took over. He led the Ducks to 12 bowl games, three more than they had attended in their entire history before his arrival. His best season was 2001, when he led the Ducks to an 11–1 record and a victory in the Fiesta Bowl. They finished second in both major polls, the highest final ranking in school history. The 11 wins would remain a school record until the 2010 team's 12-win season.

Bellotti also led Oregon to a regular season #2 ranking in the 2007 season, albeit very briefly. After achieving that ranking, the Ducks lost Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Dennis Dixon to a season-ending knee injury, and Oregon proceeded to lose three straight games to Arizona, UCLA, and arch-rival Oregon State to close out the regular season.[4] Earlier that season, Bellotti had led Oregon to a resounding 39–7 victory over Michigan at "The Big House", earning the Ducks and Dixon much national attention. Oregon also defeated #9 USC and #6 Arizona State in back-to-back games at Autzen Stadium earlier that season. Oregon recovered from their three-game losing streak following the Dixon injury by defeating South Florida in the Sun Bowl in dominating fashion (56–21), thus ending a streak of four straight bowl losses for the Ducks. In 2008, the Ducks recovered strongly from a mid-season lull to win their last four games against solid competition, including a Holiday Bowl win over 13th-ranked Oklahoma State.[8] Although he only won two Pac-10 titles due to the latter half of his tenure being occupied by USC's dominance of the conference, Bellotti is still credited with building Oregon into a major football power nonetheless.

Oregon athletic director

[edit]

On December 2, 2008, shortly after defeating the Oregon State Beavers in the Civil War to prevent them from clinching a Rose Bowl berth, the university announced that Bellotti would pass the head coaching position on to offensive coordinator Chip Kelly at some undetermined point in the future and take over as the university's athletic director at that time.[9][10][11]

During his tenure as athletic director, Bellotti dealt with a number of disciplinary issues involving members of the football program, including LeGarrette Blount, LaMichael James, and Jeremiah Masoli, and fired long-time basketball coach Ernie Kent, whose teams had performed poorly in recent seasons.[12] After just nine months on the job, Bellotti announced his resignation March 19, 2010 to join ESPN as a college football analyst. Bellotti had agreed to terms with UO officials, but there was no written contract. The resignation agreement, including the payout terms, was placed on paper and signed by Bellotti on March 16, with university president Richard Lariviere signing it on March 19. Because of the lack of an initial written contract, the Oregon Justice Department reviewed the $2.3 million severance payment from the University of Oregon to the former athletic director.[13] In addition to the buyout[14] Bellotti draws a $559,000 yearly pension from the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System.[15]

In 2009, Bellotti was named third vice president of the American Football Coaches Association. According to AFCA tradition, he would move up to second vice president in 2010, first vice president in 2011 and president in 2012.[16]

ESPN analyst

[edit]

In March 2010, Bellotti announced that he was resigning as athletic director to become a college football television analyst on ESPN, with his first appearance on ESPN to occur in April.[17]

Head coaching record

[edit]
Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Chico State Wildcats (Northern California Athletic Conference) (1984–1988)
1984 Chico State 4–5–1 2–3–1 4th
1985 Chico State 4–4–1 3–1–1 2nd
1986 Chico State 7–3 4–1 2nd
1987 Chico State 3–6 3–2 2nd
1988 Chico State 3–7 3–2 T–2nd
Chico State: 21–25–2 15–9–2
Oregon Ducks (Pacific-10 Conference) (1995–2008)
1995 Oregon 9–3 6–2 3rd L Cotton 18 18
1996 Oregon 6–5 3–5 T–5th
1997 Oregon 7–5 3–5 T–7th W Las Vegas
1998 Oregon 8–4 5–3 T–3rd L Aloha
1999 Oregon 9–3 6–2 T–2nd W Sun 18 19
2000 Oregon 10–2 7–1 T–1st W Holiday 9 7
2001 Oregon 11–1 7–1 1st W Fiesta† 2 2
2002 Oregon 7–6 3–5 8th L Seattle
2003 Oregon 8–5 5–3 T–3rd L Sun
2004 Oregon 5–6 4–4 T–5th
2005 Oregon 10–2 7–1 2nd L Holiday 12 12
2006 Oregon 7–6 4–5 T–5th L Las Vegas
2007 Oregon 9–4 5–4 T–4th W Sun 23 24
2008 Oregon 10–3 7–2 T–2nd W Holiday 9 10
Oregon: 116–55 72–43
Total: 137–80–2
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mike Bellotti

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Robert Michael Bellotti (born December 21, 1950) is an American college football analyst for and ABC, best known as the winningest head coach in Ducks football history, where he led the program to national prominence from 1995 to 2008. Born in , Bellotti earned a from the in 1973, where he played as a and under Hall of Fame coach Jim Sochor, and later obtained a from in 1982. His early coaching career began at UC Davis, followed by a stint as head coach at from 1984 to 1988, where he earned Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors in 1986. In 1989, he joined the as , helping to lay the groundwork for the program's offensive success before assuming the head coaching role in February 1995. During his 14 seasons as Oregon's , Bellotti compiled a 116–55 record, achieving a .678 and marking the program's most successful era with 116 of its all-time 556 victories. He guided to 12 bowl appearances, securing victories in six, including the after an 11–1 season that earned a No. 2 national ranking and the Pac-10 . Bellotti's teams achieved 10 or more wins in four seasons (2000, 2001, 2005, and 2008), finished in the top 25 seven times, and ranked nationally in eight seasons, transforming into a consistent contender. Across his overall coaching career, which included his time at Chico, he amassed 137 wins, 80 losses, and 2 ties. Following his coaching tenure, Bellotti briefly served as Oregon's from 2009 to 2010 before resigning to pursue broadcasting. He joined as a college football analyst in 2010, providing color commentary and analysis for games and studio segments. In recognition of his contributions to the sport, Bellotti was inducted into the in 2014.

Early life and playing career

Early life and education

Robert Michael Bellotti was born on December 21, 1950, in . He grew up in the Concord area and attended Ygnacio Valley High School, graduating in 1969. At Ygnacio Valley, Bellotti excelled as a three-sport in football, , and , captaining both the football and teams. His high school football experiences under coach Dick Ryan were particularly formative, instilling a deep appreciation for the game's fundamentals and sparking his early interest in . Bellotti enrolled at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), where he majored in physical education with combined minors in mathematics and chemistry, graduating as an honors student with a Bachelor of Arts in 1973. He subsequently completed a teaching credential program at UC Davis in 1974. In 1982, Bellotti earned a Master of Science in physical education from California State University, Hayward (now California State University, East Bay). These academic pursuits laid a strong foundation for his future career in sports education and coaching.

College playing career

Mike Bellotti played at the , from 1969 to 1972, primarily as a during his and junior years before transitioning to as a senior. As a freshman, he earned MVP honors on the team, showcasing early promise in his receiving abilities. Over his career with the , Bellotti contributed to a potent passing attack under head coach Jim Sochor, helping the program achieve consistent success in the Far Western Conference (FWC). In 1971, Bellotti aided the Aggies to a 9–1 overall record and a co-championship in the FWC with a 5–1 conference mark. His most memorable performance came in the season finale against Cal State Hayward, known as the "Miracle Game," where UC Davis trailed 29–14 with 1:20 remaining but scored 16 points in the final 20 seconds to win 30–29. After a touchdown and two-point conversion made it 29–22 with 20 seconds left, Bellotti caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bob Biggs on the final play, securing the victory and clinching the conference title. The following year, as a senior, he had a standout performance against Humboldt State with 11 receptions for 204 yards and 1 touchdown, while helping the Aggies finish 6–2–2 overall and capture the outright FWC championship with a perfect 5–0 conference record; the team later lost the Boardwalk Bowl 14–35 to Massachusetts. Bellotti earned second-team All-FWC honors at tight end in 1971 and at wide receiver in 1972, recognizing his versatility and impact on the team's offensive output. Bellotti's senior season in 1972 marked the final year of UC Davis's participation in the , as the program transitioned to starting in 1973, aligning with broader structural changes in small-college football governance. His experiences as a player under Sochor, a Hall of Fame coach known for innovative offensive schemes, profoundly shaped Bellotti's future coaching philosophy, instilling an emphasis on disciplined passing attacks, player development, and a balanced that prioritized academics and team culture—principles he later applied throughout his career. Bellotti graduated from UC Davis with a B.A. in in 1973.

Coaching career

Assistant coaching roles

Bellotti began his coaching career at his alma mater, the , immediately following his playing days as a and from 1969 to 1972. In 1973, he served as junior varsity assistant and receivers coach, progressing to junior varsity in 1974 and head junior varsity coach alongside varsity receivers coach in 1975 and 1976. During these years under head coach Jim Sochor, the Aggies achieved strong results in the Far Western Conference, posting records of 7–3 in 1973 (4–1 conference, T–1st), 9–1 in 1974 (5–0, 1st), 7–3 in 1975 (5–0, 1st), and 8–2 in 1976 (5–0, 1st), with undefeated conference seasons in three of the four years. Bellotti's work with the receivers contributed to a balanced offense that emphasized precise passing, helping the team average over 200 points scored annually while limiting opponents to under 150. In 1977, Bellotti moved to California State University, Hayward (now Cal State East Bay) as offensive coordinator, a role he held through 1978 before a brief departure. Under his guidance, the Pioneers' offense showed marked improvement in the Far Western Conference, with the team recording 6–3–1 in 1977 (2–2–1 conference) and 8–2 in 1978 (4–1 conference), including a season-high in wins that reflected enhanced scoring efficiency and balanced attacks. Bellotti implemented schemes focused on play-action passes and short-yardage runs, which boosted the program's competitiveness during a period of transition. Bellotti took a one-year stint as offensive coordinator at in 1979, where he worked under head coach Pete Riehlman and absorbed elements of the Wing-T offense, a run-oriented system that influenced his later tactical versatility. The Wildcats finished 3–8 overall (3–4 in the ) that season, providing Bellotti experience in adapting schemes to a struggling program. Returning to Cal State Hayward as from 1980 to 1983, Bellotti continued to refine the Pioneers' attack, leading to consistent mid-tier conference finishes in the Far Western Conference: 6–4 in 1980 (3–2), 6–4–1 in 1981 (4–1), 4–5–1 in 1982 (3–2), and 6–4 in 1983 (3–3). His tenure emphasized innovative passing concepts blended with Wing-T principles, fostering program stability and developing quarterbacks who averaged over 150 yards per game in multiple seasons. These assistant roles honed Bellotti's style, particularly his focus on offensive creativity and player development, setting the foundation for his head coaching opportunities.

Head coach at Chico State

Bellotti was appointed head coach at in 1984, following his time as an assistant at Cal State Hayward. Over his five-season tenure through 1988, he compiled an overall record of 21–25–2 and a 15–9–2 mark in the Athletic Conference (NCAC), guiding a Division II program that offered no athletic scholarships. His teams achieved second-place finishes in the NCAC in three of his five seasons (1985, 1986, and tied in 1988), demonstrating steady improvement in a rebuilding effort focused on foundational discipline and player development. In his inaugural 1984 season, Bellotti's Wildcats posted a 4–5–1 record, laying the groundwork for program stabilization amid limited resources. The 1985 campaign saw modest progress with a 4–4–1 mark, as the team adapted to his emphasis on balanced offensive schemes suited to the Division II level. The pinnacle came in , when Chico State achieved a 7–3 record, earning a No. 10 national ranking and recognition for top-tier total offense nationally; Bellotti was named NCAC Coach of the Year for his innovative adaptations that boosted scoring and efficiency. Subsequent seasons yielded 3–6 in 1987 and 3–7 in 1988, reflecting challenges with talent turnover but maintaining competitive conference finishes. Bellotti introduced early elements of a spread-oriented offense at Chico State, prioritizing quick passes and perimeter runs to maximize athlete speed in a scholarship-free environment, which contributed to the 1986 offensive surge. His rebuilding efforts emphasized recruiting local talent and fostering All-Conference performers, such as players who earned All-American honors and helped elevate the program's national visibility. These strategies not only improved win totals but also instilled a culture of competitiveness that prepared the team for sustained contention. Bellotti departed Chico State after the 1988 season to pursue career advancement, accepting the position at the in 1989, where greater resources and visibility aligned with his growing reputation as an offensive mind. His tenure at Chico State marked his initial foray into head coaching, honing the philosophies that would later define his success at higher levels.

Head coach at Oregon

Bellotti was promoted to head coach of the on February 13, 1995, succeeding , who had departed for the NFL's after 18 years with the program. Having served as Oregon's since 1989, Bellotti signed a four-year contract amid expectations that he would maintain the program's upward trajectory, building on his prior success in developing a potent passing attack that led the Pac-10 in scoring during his first year as coordinator. Over his 14 seasons from 1995 to 2008, Bellotti compiled an overall record of 116–55 (.678 winning percentage), transforming into a consistent Pac-10 contender with nine seasons of eight or more victories. His teams secured a share of the Pac-10 title in 2000 and the outright championship in 2001, marking 's first conference crowns since 1969 and elevating to national prominence with an 11–1 record and No. 2 final ranking in 2001. Bellotti's tenure included four 10-win seasons (2000, 2001, 2005, and 2008), a feat unprecedented in school history, and he became the first coach to post winning records in each of his first nine years. A key element of Bellotti's success was his emphasis on offensive innovation, particularly the adoption of a spread-option scheme in 2005 under new coordinator Gary Crowton, which emphasized no-huddle tempo, quarterback mobility, and horizontal passing to exploit defensive alignments. This system, often aligned with the "Go Ducks" rallying cry, accelerated Oregon's transition to a high-scoring, fast-paced attack that averaged over 40 points per game in multiple seasons and influenced broader trends in . Bellotti also prioritized recruiting West Coast talent, particularly from and the , to stock the roster with speed and athleticism suited to his schemes, overcoming regional challenges to build depth that sustained the program's rise. Bellotti's Ducks made 12 bowl appearances during his tenure, including victories in the (2002), (2001 and 2009), and (2000), which underscored 's emergence as a national power capable of competing against top-ranked opponents. These postseason berths, more than the program had achieved in its entire prior history, highlighted his role in elevating Oregon from a mid-tier conference team to a perennial contender, with eight seasons of national rankings and consistent top-25 finishes. Bellotti developed numerous players into NFL prospects, most notably quarterback Joey Harrington, who led the 2001 championship team and was selected third overall in the 2002 draft by the after earning Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year honors. Other standouts included quarterbacks Akili Smith and Dennis Dixon, along with running backs such as Jonathan Jackson, contributing to 28 players drafted during his era and establishing a pipeline that bolstered Oregon's reputation. Facing mounting pressure from high expectations and program scrutiny, Bellotti announced his retirement as head coach on December 21, 2008, following a 10–3 season and Holiday Bowl victory, citing a desire to spend more time with family after 20 years at Oregon. His departure paved the way for offensive coordinator Chip Kelly to succeed him, ensuring continuity in the innovative system Bellotti had built and setting the stage for Oregon's sustained success in the years that followed.

Administrative and broadcasting career

Oregon athletic director

Following his resignation as head football coach in March 2009, Mike Bellotti was announced as the incoming at the , serving as senior counselor to outgoing AD Pat Kilkenny until assuming the full role on July 1, 2009. His transition was designed to capitalize on his deep institutional knowledge from 14 years leading ' football program to ensure continuity amid leadership changes. During his nine-month tenure, Bellotti focused on stabilizing the athletic department by dismissing men's basketball coach amid a string of poor seasons and initiating the search for his replacement; in football, he provided oversight to new head coach during the 2009 season, which saw Oregon achieve a 10-3 record and a victory despite off-field distractions. Bellotti managed budget challenges, including a $642,000 deficit reported for the 2008-09 , while advancing facility improvements central to the department's growth, such as the construction of a new academic support center, the $200 million for basketball, and a renovated . On NCAA compliance, he addressed player conduct issues in the football program, imposing an indefinite suspension on running back after a post-game punch incident against Boise State in September 2009 and managing the fallout from Jeremiah Masoli's conviction and running back LaMichael James's arrest in early 2010. Bellotti's short term laid groundwork for Oregon's athletic expansion through targeted hires and infrastructure investments, though he later cited a lack of passion for administrative duties as a factor in his departure. On March 19, 2010, he announced his resignation, effective April 5, 2010, to join as a analyst. The university agreed to a $2.3 million to honor prior verbal commitments from his hiring, structured as $600,000 paid by May 1, 2010, and the balance in $25,000 monthly installments; the deal faced scrutiny from the but was cleared of any wrongdoing following review.

ESPN analyst

After resigning as the University of Oregon's in March , Mike Bellotti joined as a studio analyst. He debuted on the network on April 17, , marking a shift from administrative duties to . Bellotti quickly became a regular contributor to 's coverage, appearing on studio shows such as College Football Live and CFB Daily on , where he provided analysis alongside hosts like and Matt Schick. He also served as a game analyst for broadcasts, particularly West Coast matchups, offering insights into Pac-12 dynamics and national trends. His commentary often drew on his extensive experience, emphasizing strategic elements like offensive schemes and team rivalries. Throughout his tenure, Bellotti has focused much of his analysis on the , including their longstanding rivalry with Oregon State, while addressing broader college football developments such as conference realignments and coaching transitions. In March 2024, he evaluated the Ducks' spring practices, highlighting the competitive quarterback battle between transfers and as a key factor for the team's potential success. By September 2025, Bellotti commented on Oregon State's adoption of black uniforms and reflected on the Ducks' future in the post-Phil Knight era, urging a focus on winning amid shifting donor influences. Bellotti's role at ESPN has evolved from intensive full-time studio commitments in the early 2010s to more selective appearances in recent years, allowing him to balance with occasional advisory insights following his complete from university roles. As of 2025, he continues as a analyst for and ABC.

Honors and legacy

Awards and achievements

Bellotti led Oregon to a 10-2 record in 2000 and the program's first 10-win season, culminating in a victory over . In 2001, he guided the Ducks to an 11-1 mark, a conference title, and a No. 2 national ranking following a dominant 38-16 win against . In 2008, Bellotti was selected as Pac-10 Coach of the Year by for navigating multiple quarterback injuries to achieve a 10-3 finish and a triumph, marking Oregon's 12th bowl appearance under his tenure. Over his career, Bellotti compiled an overall record of 137-80-2, yielding a 63% , and held the mark as Oregon's winningest coach with 116 victories until later surpassed. His leadership transformed football, delivering the program's first nine consecutive winning seasons from 1995 to 2003 and elevating to consistent national contention with 12 bowl berths. In recognition of his impact, Bellotti was inducted into the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019. Following his retirement, reports in 2018 revealed he receives an annual state pension of approximately $559,000, ranking among Oregon's highest public employee benefits due to his combined coaching and administrative service.

College Football Hall of Fame

Mike Bellotti was announced as part of the Class of 2014 on May 22, 2014, by the National Football Foundation. His formal induction took place on December 9, 2014, at the 57th NFF Annual Awards Dinner held at the Waldorf Astoria in . Bellotti met the Hall of Fame's eligibility criteria for coaches at the time, which required a minimum of 10 seasons as a , at least 100 games coached, a career of .600 or higher, and either three full seasons post-retirement or reaching age 70. With 14 seasons at (1995–2008) yielding a 116–55 record (.678 ) and additional years at Chico State, he exceeded the thresholds while demonstrating significant impact through elevating Oregon into a national contender with 12 bowl appearances. The induction ceremony celebrated Bellotti alongside 15 other inductees, including players like and coaches like Jerry Moore. athletic director Rob Mullens praised the honor, stating, "Congratulations to Coach Bellotti on being recognized with the most prestigious honor in . Mike played an important role in football history and we are extremely pleased he is being acknowledged for his accomplishments." Bellotti described the selection as "exciting" and "humbling," emphasizing in his acceptance remarks the collective effort of his teams and staff, reflecting his coaching philosophy of building through continuity and shared success among assistants who remained with the program for years. Bellotti became the third former Oregon head coach enshrined in the Hall, following Hugo Bezdek (1954) and Len Casanova (1977). In post-induction reflections, including a 2021 on-campus plaque unveiling during a game against California, Bellotti reiterated his gratitude for the program's transformation, noting in interviews that the honor validated the dedication of players and supporters who helped turn Oregon into a consistent powerhouse. In a 2019 interview, he spoke of the induction as a capstone to his career, underscoring the lasting impact of fostering team culture over individual accolades.

Coaching statistics

Head coaching record

Bellotti served as head coach at Chico State from 1984 to 1988 in the (NCAC) and at the from 1995 to 2008 in the Pac-10 Conference.
YearTeamOverallConferenceNotes
1984Chico State4–5–12–3–1T-4th NCAC
1985Chico State4–4–13–1–12nd NCAC
1986Chico State7–3–04–1–02nd NCAC
1987Chico State3–6–03–2–03rd NCAC
1988Chico State3–7–03–2–0T-2nd NCAC
19959–3–06–2–0Cotton Bowl (L vs. )
19966–5–03–5–0No bowl
19977–5–03–5–0 (W vs. )
19988–4–05–3–0 (L vs. )
19999–3–06–2–0 (W vs. )
200010–2–07–1–0 (W vs. )
200111–1–07–1–0 (W vs. )
20027–6–03–5–0Seattle Bowl (L vs. Wake Forest)
20038–5–05–3–0 (L vs. )
20045–6–04–4–0No bowl
200510–2–07–1–0 (L vs. )
20067–6–04–5–0 (L vs. BYU)
20079–4–05–4–0 (W vs. )
200810–3–07–2–0 (W vs. Oklahoma State)
Bellotti's overall career head coaching record was 137 wins, 80 losses, and 2 ties. At Chico State, he compiled a 21–25–2 record, including a 15–9–2 mark in NCAC play. At Oregon, his record stood at 116–55 overall and 72–43 in Pac-10 games, with 12 bowl appearances.

Bowl game record

During his 14-year tenure as head coach at the University of Oregon from 1995 to 2008, Mike Bellotti guided the Ducks to 12 bowl game appearances, achieving a 6–6 record that remains the program's standard for postseason participation and victories. These consistent invitations, including major bowls like the Cotton, Fiesta, and Holiday, transformed Oregon from an inconsistent Pac-10 contender into a nationally respected program, fostering greater fan engagement, recruiting success, and institutional investment in athletics. Bellotti's postseason success helped secure the Ducks' first 10-win seasons and a No. 2 national ranking in 2001, solidifying the program's prestige on the national stage. Key highlights included Bellotti's inaugural bowl as head coach, a 1995 Cotton Bowl loss to (6–38), which tested the young program despite a strong regular season; the 2001 Fiesta Bowl triumph over (38–16), powered by quarterback Joey Harrington's four touchdown passes and earning offensive MVP honors, capped an undefeated regular season and propelled Oregon to its highest-ever finish; and the 2008 Holiday Bowl victory against Oklahoma State (42–31), where quarterback rushed for three touchdowns and was named MVP in Bellotti's final game. These matchups exemplified the ' growing competitiveness against top opponents. Bellotti's postseason approach emphasized meticulous preparation and adaptive strategies, often focusing on defensive adjustments and late-game execution to overcome deficits. A representative example was the 1999 , where trailed 20–17 in the fourth quarter but drove 87 yards for a game-winning pass from to Keenan Howry with 1:32 remaining, securing a 24–20 win through balanced offensive pushes and opportunistic plays. Such resilience not only boosted team morale but also enhanced 's reputation for high-stakes performance, attracting top talent and resources that sustained long-term success.
SeasonDateBowl GameOpponentResultScore
1995Jan 1, 1996Cotton BowlL6–38
1997Dec 20, 1997W41–13
1998Dec 25, 1998L43–51
1999Dec 31, 1999W24–20
2000Dec 29, 2000W35–30
2001Jan 1, 2002W38–16
2002Dec 30, 2002Seattle BowlWake ForestL17–38
2003Dec 31, 2003L30–31
2005Dec 29, 2005L14–17
2006Dec 21, 2006BYUL8–38
2007Dec 31, 2007W56–21
2008Dec 30, 2008Oklahoma StateW42–31

References

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  28. https://www.americanfootballmonthly.com/Subaccess/articles.php?article_id=5619&output=article
  29. https://vault.si.com/vault/2008/08/11/cant-beat-the-spread
  30. https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/sports/college/univ-oregon/2019/02/02/oregon-ducks-recruiting-early-struggles-king-pac-12/2718607002/
  31. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1320721/2019/10/24/mike-bellotti-oregon-hall-of-fame/
  32. https://www.espn.com/ncf/s/2001/1206/1291235.html
  33. https://goducks.com/news/2021/10/5/football-bellotti-hall-of-fame-plaque-to-be-unveiled-at-cal-game
  34. https://www.oregonlive.com/behindducksbeat/2008/11/bellotti_stays_cool_under_pres.html
  35. https://www.registerguard.com/story/sports/college/football/2019/06/26/bellotti-reflects-on-ducks-career/4812980007/
  36. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/139421-mike-bellotti-does-the-right-thing-resigns-as-ducks-football-coach
  37. https://bendbulletin.com/2009/03/15/oregons-bellotti-is-calm-about-moving-on-to-job-of-athletic-director/
  38. https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/bellotti-says-time-is-right-to-become-oregons-a-d/
  39. https://www.oregonlive.com/behindducksbeat/2010/03/mike_bellottis_resignation_as.html
  40. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2010/03/19/bellotti-announces-hes-stepping-down-as-oregon-ad/
  41. https://archive.nytimes.com/thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/04/a-violent-end-to-an-ugly-night-for-oregon/
  42. https://www.deseret.com/2010/3/30/20105527/oregon-ag-to-review-bellotti-severance/
  43. https://coachad.com/news/no-wrongdoing-found-in-oregons-payout-to-bellotti/
  44. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/mar/20/in-brief-bellotti-will-step-down-as-oregon-ad/
  45. https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2014/08/espns-2014-college-football-studio-lineup/
  46. https://kval.com/sports/content/former-ducks-bellotti-will-work-west-coast-games-for-espn
  47. https://kval.com/sports/content/former-oregon-head-coach-mike-bellotti-offers-thoughts-on-2024-spring-practice
  48. https://lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/latest-news/2025/09/18/just-win-baby-mike-bellotti-on-oregon-state-uniforms-and-oregons-post-phil-knight-future/
  49. https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2016/09/former_coach_mike_bellotti_wor.html
  50. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-bellotti-3245174
  51. https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2025/08/oregon-ducks-all-quarter-century-team-nominees-head-coach.html
  52. https://247sports.com/college/oregon/article/sporting-news-pac-10-coach-of-the-year-104576810/
  53. https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2014/05/former_oregon_ducks_coach_mike.html
  54. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/14/business/pension-finance-oregon.html
  55. https://footballfoundation.org/news/2014/12/9/_55060.aspx
  56. https://www.[espn.com](/page/ESPN.com)/college-football/story/_/id/45375873/nff-adjusts-college-hall-fame-coaching-eligibility-criteria
  57. https://247sports.com/college/oregon/article/mike-bellotti-on-induction-into-college-football-hall-of-fame-28771488/
  58. https://www.registerguard.com/story/sports/college/football/2019/06/26/bellotti-reflects-on-ducks-career/62939835007/
  59. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/oregon/index.html
  60. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/oregon/coaches.html
  61. https://www.espn.com/ncf/bowls01/fiesta.html
  62. https://goducks.com/news/2008/12/31/3638863
  63. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/oregon/bowls.html
  64. http://static.espn.go.com/ncf/1999/991231/recap/mmnooe.html
  65. https://sunbowl.org/about/sun-bowl-recaps/1999-oregon-minnesota
  66. https://www.johncanzano.com/p/canzano-mike-bellotti-has-something
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