Dan Lanning, the head coach of the Oregon Ducks football team, has not only made headlines for his coaching achievements but also for his remarkable personal journey alongside his wife, Sauphia.
Their story is one of love, strength, and resilience, as Sauphia battled a rare and aggressive form of cancer, which left a huge impact on their personal lives. Let’s find out more about Sauphia’s condition.
Dan Lanning’s wife Sauphia’s cancer battle
In 2016, Sauphia Vorngsam was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a disease that affects fewer than 20,000 people in the United States each year. The diagnosis was a life-altering moment for the Lanning family. Doctors had discovered a tumor the size of a golf ball in her leg, setting them on an arduous path toward her recovery.
Dan Lanning, in a deeply emotional revelation, spoke about the moment he learned of his wife’s condition during his time as a coach at Memphis. Her diagnosis became a pivotal event that would redefine his purpose in life. Lanning reflected on this period, stating, “Once I got to Memphis, my wife was diagnosed with cancer, and it really reshaped my entire ‘why.’ Now, I want to be a guy that helps people. We are not here just to have championship football players; we are here to create championship fathers, championship husbands.”
Dan Lanning’s marriage life
Dan Lanning’s journey with Sauphia began in an unexpected place: – Outback Steakhouse in Liberty, Missouri, back in 2005. At the time, Dan worked as a server at the restaurant, and Sauphia was a student at Northwest Missouri State University. Their initial meeting marked the beginning of a profound love story that would see them through the ups and downs of life.
Sauphia has been a steadfast pillar of support for her husband. They tied the knot in 2009, after a couple of years of dating, and their enduring marriage has now surpassed a decade. Together, they are proud parents of three children named Caden, Kniles, and Titan.
In a touching display of his affection and commitment to his family, Lanning recently added a tattoo on his ribs that pays homage to Sauphia and their sons. The tattoo features the names of his beloved children as well as various symbols representing the educational institutions where he has worked throughout his coaching career.
The Lanning family received a glimmer of hope in 2017 when Sauphia was declared cancer-free. This was a moment of celebration and relief for the couple, marking the end of a painful chapter in their lives.
