Oregon Ducks Head Coach Dan Lanning Makes Future Plans Clear
The coaching carousel season in college football is like clockwork. Big programs open up, names start flying around, and suddenly everyone’s got Dan Lanning headed to LSU or Penn State or wherever the grass looks greener. But here’s the thing: Lanning just put those rumors to bed, and he didn’t mince words doing it.
Appearing on “The Rich Eisen Show” this week, Oregon’s head coach made his position crystal clear. “I’m not leaving Oregon,” Lanning said. “As long as I win, we’ll be at Oregon. So I gotta win.”
Why Lanning Is Staying Put
The numbers tell you everything you need to know. In four seasons, Lanning has gone 42-7 overall and 28-4 in conference play. He’s taken the Ducks to two New Year’s Six bowls, made the College Football Playoff last season, and has Oregon sitting at No. 6 in the country right now with a legitimate shot to get back.
But it’s more than just wins and losses. Oregon has built something special under Lanning’s watch, and the infrastructure supporting him, thanks largely to Phil Knight’s deep pockets, is something most programs can only dream about. When ESPN analyst EJ Manuel floated Lanning as an LSU target earlier this week, analysts like Josh Pate quickly shot it down, pointing out that Oregon’s setup is basically unbeatable.
And even if Lanning wanted out (which he clearly doesn’t), any school trying to poach him would have to cough up a $20 million buyout. That’s not happening.
The Landscape Is Changing, But Lanning Isn’t Sweating It
When Eisen asked about all the coaching changes happening around college football—LSU firing Brian Kelly, Penn State moving on from James Franklin despite a playoff appearance—Lanning got reflective. He talked about how fragile success can be in this business and how quickly things can fall apart if you’re not careful.
“It makes me grateful for where I’m at and recognizing how fragile and special it is,” Lanning said. “It motivates you to keep working hard because you realize how temporary things can be if you’re not moving in the right direction.”
He also mentioned thinking about the other people affected by coaching changes: assistant coaches, graduate assistants, and players who signed up to play for someone specific. “Continuity, stability, I think, is super important,” he said. “And when you have it, you got to make sure you recognize it and take advantage of it.”
That’s the kind of perspective you don’t often hear from coaches in the middle of the storm, and it says a lot about why Lanning has been so successful at Oregon.
Building For 2026 and Beyond
Here’s where it gets interesting. Former Oregon Offensive Lineman Geoff Schwartz recently tweeted that Lanning has been building this team specifically for 2026. And when you look at the roster, it’s hard to disagree.
Quarterback Dante Moore is just getting started as a first-year starter, and if he decides to stick around for another season instead of declaring for the NFL Draft, Oregon’s offense could be absolutely lethal. Moore’s got elite weapons around him, including true freshman Wide Receiver Dakorien Moore, who’s already racked up 443 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.
The running game is stacked, too. True freshmen Dierre Hill Jr. and Jordon Davison have been explosive this season, and both should be back next year. On defense, Oregon will lose some key pieces like Linebacker Bryce Boettcher, but there’s young talent like defensive back Aaron Flowers ready to step into bigger roles.
And let’s not forget about recruiting. Oregon’s 2026 class ranks No. 3 nationally and No. 2 in the Big Ten, featuring 18 commits, including four five-stars and 12 four-stars. Lanning isn’t just maintaining what Mario Cristobal built—he’s taking it to another level.
The Bottom Line
Lanning has a good thing going in Eugene, and he knows it. He’s got the resources, the talent, and the support to compete for national championships every single year. Why would he leave that for a program that’s either rebuilding or dealing with dysfunction?
LSU is a blueblood program with massive potential, sure. But pulling Lanning away from Oregon would require more than just money. It would require matching a situation that’s already set up for long-term success. And right now, nobody can do that.
So while the rumors will probably keep swirling every time a big job opens up, don’t expect Lanning to budge. He’s got unfinished business in Eugene, and if the Ducks keep winning, and they will, he’s not going anywhere.
Oregon is on a bye this week before traveling to face Iowa on November 8. After that, they’ll close out the regular season against Minnesota, No. 23 USC, and Washington. If things go according to plan, the Ducks will be right back in the playoff conversation, and Lanning will still be the guy leading them there.
