EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon coach Chip
Kelly announced Sunday he had dismissed Jamere Holland from the team,
hinting it was because of the wide receiver's expletive-filled post on
the player's Facebook page.
Kelly said in a statement released by
the school that Holland was dismissed for violating team rules, but
didn't elaborate. Asked by The Oregonian if the violation was related
to Holland's Facebook post on Saturday, the coach said: "I won't get
into the specifics, but you're smart enough to figure it out."
Holland updated his Facebook status
after linebacker Kristian Kiko Alonso was arrested early Saturday on
suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants. Alonso is the
fourth Oregon player to be arrested in the past month.
In his post, Holland mistakenly
concluded Alonso had been kicked off the team and blasted the move as
unfair and damaging to the Ducks.
Holland wrote in a later post: "I
wish I could block whites as friends and only have blacks LOL, cause
apparently I'm misunderstood."
School spokesman Dave Williford said Alonso remains on the team, "contrary to Internet reports, rumors and Jamere Holland."
Athletic director Mike Bellotti, who
was the football coach when Holland transferred to Oregon from Southern
California after the 2006 season, told The Oregonian for a story posted
on the newspaper's Web site Sunday that he was frustrated with Holland.
"We've given this guy so many
chances," Bellotti said while attending Oregon's stunts and gymnastics
meet. "We've had many sit-down, very serious talks."
Holland had 17 catches for 252 yards
and two touchdowns in two years with Oregon, which went 10-3 last
season and lost to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Alonso was the Ducks'
primary backup at middle linebacker and one of the top special teams
performers last season.
The Associated Press sent an e-mail
seeking comment to Alonso, who was stopped less than a day after Kelly
held a news conference to talk about other off-field problems by his
players.
Star running back LaMichael James,
20, was arrested last week after his girlfriend told police he choked
her and threw her to the ground during an argument. James pleaded not
guilty Wednesday to charges of fourth-degree assault, physical
harassment and strangulation.
Eugene police said last week that
kicker Rob Beard had been cited with investigation of misdemeanor
assault in a Jan. 24 street fight that left him seriously injured.
Police also cited defensive end Matt Simms for investigation of
misdemeanor assault in that brawl. Simms was dismissed from the team,
while another kicker allegedly involved in the incident, Mike Bowlin,
left the team last week. Simms and Beard have pleaded not guilty.