Since he arrived at Oregon from Georgia before the 2022 season, Ducks coach Dan Lanning's trajectory has pointed ever upward.
First came a 10-3 campaign in '22—a deft act of stabilization after Mario Cristobal's departure for Miami. A 12-2 season and Fiesta Bowl victory followed in 2023, and in 2024 Oregon posted its highest winning percentage since 1916.
Now, the Ducks have their sights set on a national championship—something that has eluded the program since its Nike-fueled late 20th-century explosion. On Friday, as his No. 3 team prepares to host No. 7 Indiana, Lanning told 's Chris Low that he wants to bring such a title to Eugene.
"I’ve been very clear and adamant that I’m not going anywhere. A lot of coaches use that as an opportunity to say, ‘OK, I’m either going to get a big raise where I’m at,’ or maybe they really want that other job," Lanning said. "I don’t want any other jobs. I’ve got the job that I want."
That's significant, as Lanning has been a favorite candidate of many a fanbase with a job opening in recent years. In 2024, he moved quickly to swat away rumors tying him to Alabama after coach Nick Saban's retirement.
At 39, Lanning would appear to have a lot of wins ahead of him—which Oregon fans hope come in the Willamette Valley.
