By Heather Hintze

EUGENE, Ore. -- It's been a tumultuous year and a half for the University of Oregon, from long-time President Dave Frohmayer's retirement in 2008 to Mike Bellotti's resignation on Friday.

It didn't seem like that big a deal at the time. On September 2008, Dave Frohnmeyer announced he was stepping down as President of the University of Oregon.

"Anyone who is a university president in these days in these kinds of times has to be resilient," said Frohnmayer.

The news was far from insignificant, but it was natural being Frohnmeyer had been on the job for 14 years. Little did anyone know though it was just the start of a run like no one has ever seen at the school.

In December 2008 just a short time after being hired, Athletic Director Pat Kilkenny announced he was stepping down. University of Oregon head football coach Mike Bellotti stepped in with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly sliding in behind Bellotti as head coach.

"We are both truly happy and pleased about this," said Bellotti.

In March 2009, the university named Richard Lariviere as the new president. "He advised me to be myself," said Lariviere.

Days later came the announcement that women's basketball head coach Bev Smith would not return.

"We did everything we could do to give her an opportunity to hopefully this year to get it done, but unfortunately, it didn't seem to happen," said Kilkenny.

July 1st was Lariviere's first day on the job. It was also the changing of the guards as Bellotti officially took over as athletic director. The two men inherited two major university projects: the construction of the $200 million Matthew Knight Arena and the second phase of PK Park.

"My job is to one, keep this place running efficiently and two, to provide leadership and guidance for us under the NCAA rules," said Bellotti.

Flash forward to September 3rd -- the punch seen 'round the world. Senior running back LaGarette Blount was suspended for the entire season after punching Boise State player Byron Hout.

"I lost my head and I shouldn't have taken it that far," said Blount, who was reinstated two months later.

"If I run this program based on what public opinion is, we got a lot of problems," said head coach Chip Kelly.

The controversy surrounding Blount would eventually be overshadowed by the teams success. The Duck football team returned to the Rose Bowl for the first time in over a decade.

Their loss to the Buckeyes though seemed to set off what can only be described as a PR nightmare. In just a three month timespan, eight different Duck football players found themselves in trouble with the law. The endless trail of Ducks in court peaked when star running back LaMicheal James and quarterback Jermiah Masoli pleaded guilty.

Just a few days later, another bombshell. Ernie Kent, the face of the men's basketball team was let go.

"I don't think you'll find anybody that has the passion and love that I have for this university," said Kent.

Kent's status was only topped by one other man who waited just four days to follow Kent out the door.