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Before Dan Lanning was hired by Kirby Smart, Nick Saban tried to get the now-Oregon head coach on his staff.
Saban made an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show Thursday and talked about Smart beating him to hiring Lanning. Lanning served as a GA for Alabama in 2015, and after spending time at Memphis, Saban was ready to bring him back.
“Dan Lanning was here as a GA, went to Memphis,” Saban said. “I was ready to hire him, and two days before I did, Kirby hired him.”
Lanning was hired to Georgia’s staff as an OLB coach in 2018 and went on to be promoted to defensive coordinator in 2019, and he stayed in that position until 2021. Now, Lanning serves as head coach for Oregon.
The Ducks are having a successful season so far, posting a 5-0 start and making a case for a College Football Playoff appearance. It’s uncertain how the cards would have gone if Lanning had went to Alabama, but he is certainly glad to be where he is now.
Nick Saban on The Pat McAfee Show asked about replacing so many assistants so often, says it's harder when you have so many former assts out there.
"Dan Lanning was here as a GA, went to Memphis. I was ready to hire him, and two days before I did, Kirby hired him."
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) October 12, 2023
