Bellotti affirms his intent to stay at Oregon.

Byline: Bob Clark The Register-Guard

The dissolution of his marriage won't affect his intent to continue as the Oregon football coach, Mike Bellotti said in a statement released to the media Thursday evening.

`I am totally dedicated to honoring my commitment to the University of Oregon, my current players as well as the student-athletes I am now recruiting,' Bellotti said in the statement.

The affirmation of Bellotti's intent to remain as the UO football coach beyond this season comes at a time when the Ducks are moving more heavily into recruiting, with at least four verbal commitments received in the past week. It is known that parents of prospective players have asked for assurances from Bellotti that he will remain at Oregon.

Under a contract that was revised in February, Bellotti was given a perpetual rollover that would currently extend through the 2008 season. Any of the high school seniors currently being recruited would be fifth-year seniors on the UO team of 2008.

The petition for divorce was granted in Lane County Circuit Court on Thursday. In his statement to the media, Bellotti indicated that he and his former wife, Colleen, `have reached an amicable resolution. We will both continue to reside in the Eugene community and share joint legal custody of our three children.'

The Bellottis have lived in Eugene for nearly 15 years, since Mike was first hired as an assistant coach by the Ducks. Luke Bellotti, 18, is a freshman at the university and a non-scholarship kicker on the football team; Keri, 17, is a high school junior; Sean, 9, is in elementary school.

Bellotti said in the statement that `it is understood that the competitive environment of Division I football makes for long hours and personal sacrifices. Any occupation that mandates a similar investment of time, energy and travel has drawbacks. These elements can, and do, take their toll on personal relationships.

`It is after much deliberation and with deep regret that, after 25 years of being together, Colleen and I have agreed to end our marriage.'

This is Bellotti's ninth season as head coach at Oregon, making him the longest-serving head coach currently in the Pac-10. He has compiled a 73-33 overall record, including 43-27 in league games. His 2001 team won the Pac-10 title and finished the season ranked second in the country. The Ducks also tied for the 2000 Pac-10 championship, and Bellotti's teams have appeared in bowl games in seven of the previous eight seasons. Oregon is currently 6-4 overall and 3-3 in the Pac-10 with two games left in the regular season.

Bellotti, who was offensive coordinator at Oregon for six seasons prior to moving up to head coach, indicated he would have no comment on his divorce beyond the official statement.

`While accepting my role as a public figure, I feel that this is a matter that is distinctly separate from my public responsibility,' the statement read. `As such, it is our greatest hope that everyone will respect the privacy of our family as we make this transition so that we can provide the best environment and future for our children. I thank you in advance for your support and for respecting these boundaries.'

OREGON FOOTBALL UPDATE

Added recruits: Oregon's list of verbal commitments now includes James Harris, a receiver from Oakmont High School in Roseville, Calif., the Sacramento Bee has reported. The 6-foot, 200-pound Harris had his season curtailed when he suffered a broken collarbone in a recent game.

In addition to beating California, the Ducks also received verbal commitments from at least three of the four high seniors who made official visits to Eugene for the game.

Receiver Jaison Williams of Culver City, Calif., and linebacker Ryan Phipps of Corona, Calif., each committed to Oregon this week, according to Internet reports. They both visited Oregon last weekend, along with Thurston tight end Ryan Keeling, who committed to the Ducks before the Cal game.

Williams, 6-4 and 215 pounds, reportedly chose Oregon over Michigan, and also had a scholarship offer from USC. Phipps, 6-foot and 210 pounds, picked Oregon over Colorado.

A catcher, too: Having thrown 494 passes in his Oregon career, might this be a game in which Jason Fife is on the receiving end of a throw?

The backup quarterback could be a reserve receiver, UO coach Mike Bellotti said Thursday, if the Ducks lose any more of their wideouts. Only three scholarship receivers will definitely make the trip to UCLA, starters Samie Parker and Demetrius Williams and freshman Kyle Weatherspoon. With Marcus Maxwell (shoulder) a definite question mark, the Ducks could turn to one of their walk-on receivers, Alex Mercier or Tony Salazar. Or Fife, though he hasn't worked out as a receiver.

`He would know what to do,' Bellotti said. `He's a big physical kid with good hands.'

Same starters: Even with former starters Steven Moore (ankle) and Rodney Woods (shoulder) sufficiently recovered from injuries to play at UCLA, the Ducks plan to stick with Justin Phinisee and Marques Binns at cornerback.

Moore will be on the trip after missing the past two games, and Bellotti said, `I hope he's comfortable and able to play.'