I know. I know. Mario Cristobal dumped the wrong coordinator.

Maybe.

Cristobal officially broke it off with defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt on Thursday. The university issued a news release indicating the $2.5 million Oregon still owes Leavitt will be funded entirely by “private sources.” And so the natural discussion now turns to what Cristobal might do in replacing Leavitt.

But first, one question: What’s the deal with offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo?

Cristobal is not going to fire him. Be sure. But he may be looking to get Arroyo some help. An NFL source told me on Thursday that former Indianapolis Colts and ex-Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski may have had discussions with Oregon about coming to Eugene as a possible “special assistant to the head coach."

It’s a wild swing, but if true, I think bringing “Chud” to UO makes a lot sense.

Like Cristobal, Chudzinski has deep ties to Miami. There’s comfort there. The one-time Cleveland Browns head coach sat out last season. He won’t be sitting out another one, and he has a reputation as a tireless, no-ego coach who has deep play-calling expertise. And he’s already called plays for two No. 1 NFL draft picks at quarterback in Cam Newton and Andrew Luck.

Bills quarterback Derek Anderson played for Chudzinski in Cleveland and Carolina.

Said Anderson: "Chud’s fantastic, if Oregon can get him. Great with scheme. He was a huge influence in my development. He’d help them a ton. He’d find little things that will make them better.

“The dude is all-night.”

As in, he works through it.

Then ex-Oregon State star added: “Good for the Ducks... bad for the Beavers.”

Anyone who saw Oregon play last season knows Arroyo could use an adviser. Oregon averaged 243.2 passing yards per game in conference play, and the Ducks never really looked comfortable offensively despite having one of the best talents at quarterback in the conference.

Oregon scored seven points in the Redbox Bowl.

Chudzinski is a guy who knows how to utilize a tight end, and did so masterfully in calling plays for the Chargers with Antonio Gates. He also coached All-America tight ends Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey and Kellen Winslow II in college. As the offensive coordinator at Miami in 2001, Chudzinski’s offense won the BCS national title game with Ken Dorsey under center.

So yeah, hire him if you can.

Today.

Go get 50-year-old Chudzinski, and stick him on the shoulder of 39-year-old Arroyo. Let the two coaches work with Herbert and the collection of talent that Cristobal and Co. have assembled in recruiting, and maybe the defensive coordinator hire suddenly isn’t as critical.

Arroyo’s feelings shouldn’t be hurt here.

The mission remains the same.

Oregon managed only 203 yards of total offense in the Redbox Bowl. The Ducks can’t afford to waste Herbert’s decision to return for another season. And if Cristobal really is close to landing Chudzinski as an offensive consultant, what we’re witnessing is the evolution of a second-year UO coach.

Cristobal landed the university’s best recruiting class in history. He hired Jovon Bouknight from Texas Texas to coach his wide receivers. Then, he shed Leavitt, whose act wore thin on those around him.

Too often head coaches make moves only out of desperation. What we’re seeing from Oregon right now smacks not of anguish, but of opportunity. Cristobal apparently didn’t like what he had in Leavitt, whose defense ranked ranked No. 48 in points allowed (25.4 per game) last season, but in conference play ranked No. 8 of the 12 teams in scoring defense (29.3 points). And as much as Cristobal hopes Arroyo can get it done, ensuring that success with a potential consultant hire smacks of solid leadership.

Leavitt pushed out.

Arroyo thrown a lifeline.

Difficult, but necessary, offseason decisions.