The speculation surrounding Oregon head coach Dan Lanning’s potential move to Alabama reached a fever pitch, with many considering him the top candidate to succeed Nick Saban. However, ESPN’s Greg McElroy unequivocally dismissed this notion on the latest episode of Always College Football.
McElroy left no room for doubt, asserting, “That was never going to happen.” Shedding light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics, he revealed a significant impediment that derailed any possibility of Lanning making the switch to Alabama. The primary stumbling block was a substantial buyout, making negotiations an uphill battle for the Crimson Tide from the outset.
“I’m telling you, with some knowledge of how it was going down. Dan Lanning wasn’t even an option. Because not only is there a $20 million buyout, but there is a different contract built into his contract that would’ve exceeded 2025 to $30 million for him to get to the table to negotiate. So, Dan Lanning was not going to happen,” McElroy explained.
Lanning, a former Alabama graduate assistant, garnered national acclaim as the defensive coordinator at Georgia, contributing to a national title win. In 2022, he assumed the head coaching role at Oregon.
During his two-season tenure at Oregon, Lanning has compiled an impressive record of 22-5, clinching a division title, achieving two top 20 finishes, and securing two bowl game victories. Despite his Alabama ties, the intricate contractual intricacies and the substantial buyout seemingly quashed any notion of Lanning donning the Crimson Tide colors.
As the dust settles on the coaching speculation, the resounding question remains: Was Lanning genuinely never a candidate at Alabama? The complexities of contracts and buyouts provide a compelling backdrop to the intricate dance of college football coaching transitions.