When Dan Lanning stepped into the role of head football coach for the Oregon Ducks, he inherited a solid foundation from predecessor Mario Cristobal.
Since then, Lanning has transformed the program into a formidable force, consistently pushing its way into the College Football Playoff conversation.
He’s widely considered the hottest young coach in the entire country.
As a matter of fact, when Nick Saban announced his shocking decision to retire, Lanning was viewed as one of the favorites to take over in Tuscaloosa.
Lanning, who once served under Saban, described the experience to FOX college football analyst Joel Klatt as akin to earning a “doctorate in football.”
Despite this high praise, Lanning chose to remain in Eugene.
āI think itās more about what exists [at Oregon],ā he said. āFor me, itās the first time in my career I feel like Iām somewhere I can be for a really, really, long time for and my family and I think thatās number one.ā
Lanningās coaching journey included a brief stint with Alabama, followed by two seasons at Memphis.
He then spent four years as Kirby Smartās defensive coordinator with the Georgia Bulldogs before taking the helm at Oregon.
This loyalty and commitment to his current program underscore his dedication to the Ducks.
āI can also never take for granted that Oregon took a chance on me and that means a lot to me,” Lanning said.
“Thereās things I want to accomplish here that I havenāt accomplished yet. I never like leaving a place where I feel like thereās something left on the table and thereās a lot left on the table here at Oregon.ā
Under Lanningās leadership, the Ducks are poised for long-term, sustained success.
Although they narrowly missed a Pac-12 title and CFB Playoff spot last year, they are strong contenders for the Big Ten championship and a potential berth in the expanded Playoff field in 2024.
Many people – including ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit – have gone on record stating that the Ducks have an excellent chance to beat-out Ohio State for the conference title.
Lanning’s dedication to the program was evident during a recent practice session at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex, where he actively participated in drills with his team.
He’s proven to be a unique blend of a tough, no-nonsense, old-school football mind while still being a coach that players will run through a brick wall for.
With Lanning at the helm, the Oregon Ducks are not just aiming for a conference championship but are also setting their sights on a national title, firmly establishing themselves as an elite powerhouse.
Most analysts agree that Ohio State and Georgia are the two best teams in college football – but Oregon (and Texas) are right on their heels.
Were you surprised that Lanning wasn’t interested in the Alabama vacancy?
Do you think he is indeed at Oregon for the long-haul???