Dan Lanning is staying put at Oregon, reaffirming his commitment to the Ducks recently as rumors surrounding the Alabama vacancy swirled.

Shortly after Nick Saban announced his retirement, Lanning’s name was quickly put atop the betting odds to become the next head coach in Tuscaloosa. Lanning’s ties to Alabama, Georgia and the Southeast are undeniable, but the head coach has a deep belief in what he has in Eugene.

During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Lanning said Wednesday’s rumors were a distraction for his family but admitted it shows the Ducks are doing something right:

“Getting your name put in the conversation speaks to what we’re doing right here, right now,” said Lanning. “But this decision’s been made for me since I took this job. I love what we have here…

“It was a distraction last night. My 13-year-old son, we had just started watching the Jason Bourne movie, and my phone was blowing up. He’s like ‘Dad, it says you’re in Tuscaloosa right now.’ I was like we’re watching Jason Bourne, focus on the movie! Put your phone on do not disturb.”

As for Oregon’s roster, Lanning says the players “know where I’m at, 10 toes down.” He pointed to innovation on the part of the Ducks in the changing landscape of college football.

“When I think of Oregon, I think of innovation. We all know college football is changing like crazy right now, and we’re ahead of the curve,” Lanning explained. “We’ve got a plan, we have great support, and if there’s something I need, I can go ask for it.

“A lot of things that a lot of coaches are driven by, that’s not really my motivation. It’s one thing: can we win? Can we win at a high level? Can we compete for championships? That ability exists here. I think we have a program that can be the best in the nation as long as I keep this thing on track.”

In just two seasons at Oregon, Lanning is 22-5 overall with a pair of top-15 finishes and a New Year’s Six Bowl victory. Lanning’s name will likely be included in head coaching rumors down the road if Oregon continues to win, but he’s focused on keeping things rolling with the Ducks.