EUGENE – University of Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens has hired Mario Cristobal to become the 34th head coach of the Oregon Ducks football program, the university announced Friday in a press release.

Cristobal was serving as the interim head coach for the Ducks after Willie Taggart left the program for Florida State. A press conference will be held at 4 p.m. Friday to formally introduce Cristobal as Oregon new head coach.

“Mario’s leadership skills, work ethic, and experience makes him a perfect fit to lead the Oregon football program,” said Mullens. Cristobal was the co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach this year for Oregon and previously was a head coach at Florida International University. He spent six seasons at FIU and led the program to its most successful season in 2011.

“I’m excited and honored to be the head football coach of the Oregon Ducks,” said Cristobal in the Oregon press release. “The rich tradition combined with the incredible wave of momentum that has been created throughout the season and the recruiting process is something we believe will be unstoppable, and this will lead us to fulfill the great expectations of our great University and our fan base.”

Read the full release from the University of Oregon HERE.