University of Oregon President Michael Schill says his confidence in football coach Willie Taggart remains intact even though he was "very upset" that three of his players ended up in the hospital following an off-season workout designed by the program's new strength and conditioning coordinator.

Schill, in his first public statements since the hospitalizations made national news last week, also made clear Tuesday that he was directly involved in disciplining strength and conditioning coach Irele Oderinde - who was suspended without pay for one month and no longer reports to Taggart - and in moving to cut loose co-offensive coordinator David Reaves following his arrest Sunday on charges of driving under the influence, reckless driving and reckless endangerment.

"I was involved in the decision making in regard to both of those two," Schill said, "and I stand by it."

Reaves, whose hire was official just five days before his arrest, will be fired. Wide receivers coach Jimmie Dougherty was in the passenger's seat when Reaves was pulled over by police early Sunday, the UO athletic department said Tuesday.

University of Oregon president Michael H. Schill met with The Oregonian's Andrew Theen on the evening of Wednesday, February 17, 2016. Dave Killen / staff

The incidents represented a black eye for the football program, which had completely retooled its staff following a losing record for the first time in more than a decade.

Tight end Cam McCormick and offensive linemen Sam Poutasi and Doug Brenner were all released from a Springfield hospital last week after undergoing several days of treatments.

Soon after The Oregonian/OregonLive reported on the hospitalizations, the university suspended Oderinde and issued an apology from Taggart on behalf of the entire athletic department. "The safety and welfare of all of our student-athletes is paramount in all that we do," the UO said in a statement. "While we cannot comment on the health of our individual students, we have implemented modifications as we transition back into full training to prevent further occurrences.

Schill said he had spoken to Taggart about the issue. "Whether it was through our exercise programs, or the students were too afraid to be called weenies that they didn't stop when they should've stopped, I don't care," Schill said.

"The job of our coaches is to look out for their well-being."

Schill said he made that point clear to Taggart, and he said the coach agreed. "We want to have a football program which was not only geared toward wins and losses, but is also geared toward the welfare of our student athletes."

"He gets that and is committed to doing it."

The school president, who has said previously that he hadn't set foot on a football field until arriving in Eugene, said he has great confidence in Athletic Director Rob Mullens as well.

"Rob appropriately involved me," Schill said of the recent off-the-field issues.

Schill said while it's "unfortunate" the off-the-field issues occurred at the start of his tenure, he isn't concerned there will be more drama.

"I have his assurances," Schill said of Taggart, "as well as the assurances from Rob that won't continue."



-- Andrew Theen

atheen@oregonian.com

503-294-4026

@andrewtheen