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Dan Lanning announced as new head coach of Oregon Ducks
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Oregon has made it official: Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning is the new head coach of the Ducks.
“I am honored and humbled to be selected to lead one of the premier programs in the nation at the University of Oregon,” Lanning said in a statement released by Oregon. “I want to personally thank President Schill, the Board of Trustees, athletic director Rob Mullens, and Mr. and Mrs. Knight for their trust in me. I’m excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work with our players in the pursuit of championships.
“It is clear there is a vision and alignment within the entire Duck Nation. We are staged for success and look forward to building on the strong foundation that currently exists in Eugene. Our goal is to win championships and develop our players both on and off the field. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to Coach Kirby Smart and his wife, Mary Beth, and to every player, coach, staff member, and person at the University of Georgia who contributed to our success, I thank you. Go Ducks!”
It has been a quick climb up the coaching ranks for the 35-year-old Lanning. He was a grad assistant on the 2015 Alabama coaching staff. As the new Oregon head coach, he replaces a fellow member of that 2015 Crimson Tide coaching staff, former UA offensive line coach Mario Cristobal, who left to take the Miami coaching job.
“Dan is an outstanding, high-energy football coach who will provide a world-class experience for our football student-athletes,” AD Mullens said in the team announcement. “He is a tremendous recruiter and developer of talent, and we will continue to compete for championships while providing an environment where our football student-athletes can develop to their fullest potential in the classroom, on the football field, and as people. We are grateful for the opportunity to have Dan as the leader of our football program, and we look forward to the positive impact he will have on our student-athletes. We are excited to welcome Dan, Sauphia, Caden, Kniles, and Titan to the Oregon family!”
Lanning spent 2 seasons at Memphis (2016, ’17) before reuniting with Kirby Smart. Lanning was UGA’s outside linebackers coach for the 2018 season. Ahead of the 2019 season, Lanning was promoted to defensive coordinator after the departure of Mel Tucker. Smart and Tucker were also members of the 2015 Alabama staff.
Oregon will introduce Lanning in a press conference set for 5 p.m. ET.
Got our guy. @CoachDanLanning is the 35th head coach in Oregon football history! #GoDucks
More: https://t.co/LDBKp2iOgh pic.twitter.com/6AAZAkVz0N
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) December 12, 2021
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
