After spending four seasons on Kirby Smart’s staff at Georgia, Dan Lanning kicked off a new career as head coach with the Oregon Ducks in 2021. Just one season later, the team decided to keep the head coach for a longer period of time than before after he made a commitment to incorporating a workmanlike mentality with him in the collegiate football circuit.
Nevertheless, in spite of trying hard, Lanning is having a tough time bringing a good winning streak due to some of his wrong decisions. Hence, following the team’s most recent defeat against Washington, he took the blame on his shoulders.
Dan Lanning Oregon contract
Being satisfied with Dan Lanning’s coaching prowess, Oregon has awarded him a six-year, $45 million contract extension this season as per CBS Sports. With the deal, Oregon let the second-year coach have a stint with them till the 2028 season.
His deal is fully guaranteed, with a $20M buyout. If he leaves at any point prior to the end of the season or is fired prior to the end of his contract, he will receive the full amount of his contract. With the deal, Lanning’s salary rises from $4.7 million to $7 million this season. Additionally, it will increase by $200,000 each year through the duration of the deal.
After having the contract, the coach shared his excitement for having another chance to guide the team and conveyed his gratitude to Phil and Penny Knight, Rob Mullens, and President John Karl Scholz.
“I am thrilled to be a part of a program that has a shared vision for how to stay on the cutting edge and achieve great success moving forward, and I am grateful to Phil and Penny Knight, Rob Mullens and President Scholz for their faith and unwavering support of our program.”
Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens retorted the deal as the result of Dan’s “tremendous leadership” and an “unwavering commitment”. Prior to this contract, the 37-year-old was in a six-year, $29.1 million contract that he signed in December 2021.
Lanning shoulders blame for Washington defeat
After closing his first season for the Ducks with a 10-3 record, Dan Lanning put forward all his coaching skills and game plan to live up to his team’s expectations. Nevertheless, his consecutive bad decisions have already put him in hot water and Oregon’s battle with the Washington Huskies was no exception.
The head coach led his team to make several aggressive decisions. His three failed fourth-down attempts backfired in return forcing them to digest a 3-point defeat to the Huskies. Hence, following the game, he had nothing but to accept the fault and take full accountability for his actions.
“I think this game is 100% on me,” he said.
The field goals might not be enough to keep pace with the Huskies, yet the head coach’s game plan was far different from this, and following the game he admitted it.
“That being said, it didn’t work. So obviously it will be second-guessed.”
Meanwhile, the Huskies coach Kalen DeBoer did not shy away from criticizing Lanning for his aggressive game plan.
“I think that a lot of those coaches that we face, including today, they’re aggressive by nature. We would expect that whether it was against us or not,”
The Oregon management team must not feel well after seeing their trust dashed by Dan Lanning’s consecutive failed game plans. What’s your opinion on this matter?
