Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2012
- Class:
- 1995
The Ashland, Ore., native may not have been the biggest, the fastest or most heralded, but there was no mistaking that Chad Cota was the glue that fueled one of the Ducks’ most inspiring defenses of the modern era. The backbone behind a “Gang Green” defense which paved the way for the school’s first Rose Bowl appearance in 37 years, the four-year starting strong safety may have completed his Oregon career tied for sixth in career tackles (329) but his impact was immeasurable. His teammates recognized the magnitude of his efforts as the first-team Pacific-10 Conference all-league choice was anointed his team’s Most Outstanding Player following a brilliant senior season that witnessed him making 91 tackles and two interceptions. The consummate team player, who ended his collegiate career making 43 consecutive starts before embarking on an eight-year NFL tenure (Carolina, New Orleans, Indianapolis and St. Louis), paced the Ducks in tackles (86), interceptions (4) and forced fumbles (2) as a junior in 1993. But that was only a prelude for a final season that culminated with his team pushing top-ranked Penn State into the Rose Bowl’s final quarter and the All-American claiming the Bill Hayward Award as the state’s top amateur male athlete.
