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Oregon Football: 3 reasons Dan Lanning is a good hire for the Ducks

By Connor Muldowney

Defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach Dan Lanning during warm-ups before the start of the Georgia G-Day Spring game on April 17.News Joshua L Jones
Defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach Dan Lanning during warm-ups before the start of the Georgia G-Day Spring game on April 17.News Joshua L Jones /
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Dec 7, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart talks to defensive coordinator Dan Lanning against the LSU Tigers in the third quarter in the 2019 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart talks to defensive coordinator Dan Lanning against the LSU Tigers in the third quarter in the 2019 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Brilliant defensive mind

All you need to do in order to see just how impressive of a coordinator Dan Lanning has been is look at his total defense rankings since taking over at Georgia for Mel Tucker in 2019.

In 2019, Georgia’s defense ranked No. 1 in the country in total yards, No. 1 in scoring, No. 1 against the run, and No. 1 in yards per play. His defense was suffocating and it was a big reason the Bulldogs finished No. 4 in the AP Top 25 and 12-2 overall.

Despite being affected by COVID-19 in 2020 with opt-outs and just not a normal year, Georgia finished No. 17 in total defense, No. 16 in scoring defense, No. 1 against the run, and tied for No. 10 in yards per play.

And this year, he’s done his best work yet as Georgia’s defense has been historically good, allowing a total of 83 points throughout the entire regular season. The Bulldogs did give up over 40 against Alabama in the SEC title game, but the Bulldogs were stingier than any defense in recent memory for 12 straight games, going 12-0 before the conference title game. This year, Georgia has been No. 1 in total defense, No. 1 in scoring, No. 4 in rushing defense, No. 3 in passing defense, and No. 1 in yards per play.

Oregon is getting a brilliant defensive mind and if he can get some guys in the portal this offseason to help the build, the Ducks are going to be shutting teams down for years.

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