Oregon’s big addition to the offensive line? A longtime Beaver in his 60s.

Oregon offensive line coach A’lique Terry wanted to be careful about how he said it.

What happened up at Oregon State last year? Nobody wants to see a program go through a midseason coach firing and a 2-10 record — even if it was a school once considered to be Oregon’s rival.

However, that season did happen, and at the end of the year, those on OSU’s staff did enter the proverbial transfer portal. And while this offseason wasn’t one of massive roster additions for Terry’s position group, he did see one key piece in Corvallis that he knew would make the 2026 Ducks better: Former Oregon State offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh, a stalwart of the Beavers program who previously spent two seasons as an analyst with the Ducks earlier in Dan Lanning’s tenure in 2023 and 2024. 

“O.G. Cav,” Terry said. “That’s part of The Firm (the nickname for Oregon’s offensive line). Like, there wasn’t even a question when that situation happened up the road, if he was coming back or not, I looked at coach Lanning like, ‘Why are you asking me? Like, you know me. It’s family.’”

Cavanaugh may not be the biggest name, but he needs little introduction in the college football world. In a 30-plus-year career, he’s spent time coaching the offensive lines at Nebraska, Arizona State, Hawaii, with the San Diego Chargers and, most notable, two different stints in Corvallis. During his time with the Beavers, 23 of his players earned all-conference honors.

He’s a tough coach whose philosophy is built around foundation and technique. And in his 60s, Oregon’s “new” assistant offensive line coach is more than twice the age of the 30-year-old Terry, who’s developing his own reputation as one of the country’s better assistants after three Joe Moore Award finalist finishes in his three years.

Maybe some coaches would see the addition of someone with that much experience to the staff as a threat. Terry didn’t see it that way — even if he admits he was “selfish” about the decision.

“It was cool because obviously to come and have my opportunity, coach Lanning gave me the opportunity to be with coach Cav and learn,” Terry said. “He’s been in the game for 30-plus years. He’s been a part of some of the best offensive lines in the country.

“Me, selfishly, I love it — but our guys get to take heed in that.”

They’ll also take heed in the responsibility that comes with this season. Because while the star quarterback is back, and the running backs feature a dynamic duo, and the wide receivers have a handful of gamebreakers, the offensive line has a few questions.

The Ducks lost three starters, including both tackles, and are relying on the experience of returning center Iapani Laloulu and guard Dave Iuli to steady a group betting heavily on development. Oregon brought in one transfer — projected starting right tackle Michael Bennett III from Yale — but is looking in-house for protection on the left side.

There is a world where Oregon’s starting left tackle is redshirt sophomore Fox Crader and its starting left guard is true freshman Tommy Tofi. Fellow freshman and five-star recruit Immanuel Iheanacho is playing himself into the mix, too.

“They know their roles could end up being much larger later on down the year,” Terry said. “And with as much (work) as they put in, it could happen maybe earlier in the year. Who knows?”

What Terry does know is that those young players, along with Oregon’s veterans, will benefit from another coach in the room who has seen a whole lot of football.

“Being able to get that football knowledge to see how big the game is as far as an offensive line standpoint, I think it makes all our guys have a different appreciation because he’s quote-unquote old school,” Terry said. “He’s not old school. He just loves the game of football. But he loves offensive line play more than anything. So I think all our guys need that, especially in this day and age. You need some people who love offensive line.”