Helfrich is looking like an empty suit. He had Mariota mask some deficiencies his first couple of years there, but the team looks like it has fallen off a cliff talent-wise. He hasn't been able to recruit a QB at all since he took over.
They never were elite defensively but they've also given up at least 35 points in the last 4 games. It is just Hoke's first year but I wonder if he gets scapegoat treatment and is out after this year. I think the Aliotti (longtime DC) retirement as a factor in their struggles is getting overlooked too.
Helfrich also has the misfortune of following in Kelly's footsteps. He raised expectations massively for that program. Mike Bellotti is a legend at Oregon/Hall of Famer and had several seasons there that were very pedestrian. He only got them to one BCS bowl. But he of course was before Kelly so their fans thought they had it good at that point.