Report: Akron expected to hire Oregon's Moorhead as head coach

Oregon offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead is the leading candidate to become the new head coach at Akron, a source told The Athletic's Bruce Feldman.

The Zips are expected to hire Moorhead after the Ducks play in the Pac-12 title game Friday, reports Feldman.

Moorhead, 48, will make his return to Akron after serving as an assistant from 2004-2008. He worked as a wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator before working his way up to quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator during his tenure.

The Ducks have averaged 33.2 points (third in the Pac-12) and 434 yards per contest in Moorhead's second season at Oregon.

The Pittsburgh native will become a head coach for the second time after serving in that role at Mississippi State. He went 14-12 in two seasons and was relieved of his duties after a 6-7 campaign in 2019.

Akron fired coach Tom Arth nine games into his third campaign. He posted a 3-24 record with the Zips. The program finished last in the MAC East this season.