Oregon Public Broadcasting

University of Oregon Athletic Director Mike Bellotti will leave the university effective April 5th. Bellotti was head coach of the Ducks football team for 17 years before he took over as Athletic Director less than a year ago.

He starts his new position as ESPN college football analyst on April 17.

"Timing in life is everything. This is not the most appropriate timing in my perception just because of the situations that have occurred." Bellotti said at a Friday morning press conference. "I want to make sure everybody understands that I'm not running from anything at all. I faced much more difficult situations as the football coach and weathered those and I was planning on weathering these storms also."

Earlier this week, Bellotti dismissed men's basketball coach Ernie Kent because of losses and dropping attendance.