In the realm of college football, where coaching wisdom is often passed down from the greats, Dan Lanning stands as one of the many head coaches who once walked the sidelines under the guidance of Nick Saban. Lanning, who spent a year as a graduate assistant at Alabama in 2015, recently revealed a valuable lesson he learned from the iconic coach.
Having crossed paths with Kirby Smart, Lanning eventually became Georgia’s defensive coordinator before taking the helm at Oregon, where he has steered the Ducks to an impressive 22-5 record over the past two seasons.
In a candid conversation on The Ryen Russillo Podcast, Lanning delved into what he observed and absorbed from Saban’s coaching approach.
“I’ve never been more impressed with the consistency of a coach than Coach Saban,” Lanning acknowledged. “Just watching him every day, it was almost robotic how well he was able to move — but robotic and adaptable.”
Lanning pointed out a common pitfall among former Saban proteges who ventured into head coaching roles elsewhere. Many attempted to emulate Saban rather than staying true to themselves. Saban, during his legendary tenure at Tuscaloosa, never succumbed to this error.
“Coach Saban was himself every day, and that’s something I appreciate and learned from him,” Lanning continued. “That whenever you get your opportunity, you’ve got to be you. But you’ve got to be the definition of consistency if you want to last in this profession.”
Reflecting on his time with Saban, Lanning regarded it as “the best decision in my career.” He was part of an exclusive group, alongside the likes of Lane Kiffin and Billy Napier, that played pivotal roles in steering the Crimson Tide to a national championship.
Following Saban’s retirement, Lanning’s name was swiftly linked to the possibility of stepping into his shoes. However, the Oregon head coach swiftly quashed any speculations about his departure, asserting his commitment to the Ducks.
“It was never really a thought in our mind,” Lanning affirmed. “I love Coach Saban, and gosh, I can’t tell you how much he’s done for my career and where I’m at. But I think we can make Oregon the best job in college football, and that happens with a focus on where we’re at.”