Dan Lanning has the perfect response to Jahlil Florence's decision to transfer

One of things Duck fans appreciate about Dan Lanning's coaching style is that he doesn't burn bridges with players, high school coaches or families.

Monday night at his press conference he was asked about Jahlil Florence's decision to leave the program and enter the transfer portal. Erik Skopil of 247Sports posted his response to social media.

"I'm thrilled with Jahlil's contribution to our team. He was a positive teammate. I'm wishing him nothing but the best. He was looking for a reset and I wish him a great future," Lanning said.

That's the right way to talk about a situation when an athlete makes a decision about his future. Florence has high goals for himself, and talent. He's a good kid. In 2023 when he broke into the starting lineup he looked like an emerging star.

He'd been supplanted in the Oregon lineup and the players who'd taken over those starting spots have played tremendously as unit. Currently the Ducks have the No. 1 pass defense in the country. The corners have played brilliantly, although they had a tough time with Indiana's Elijah Surratt. Everyone has.

Just because a player decided to move on is no reason to trash him, to fall back on cliches or criticism. Sometimes things come full circle, like Dante Moore. And Oregon will want to recruit other players from Lincoln HIgh in San Diego and Florence's region. Who knows, in five or ten years Florence might be a high school coach somewhere. It just makes sense.

Also Lanning's approach sends a message to his other players and their families. It says, "You are valued. We care about your future. Everybody has a role on this team."

That same philosophy was reflected when the coach talked about the backup quarterback situation. After Brock Thomas took over in the second half against Wisconsin, sealing a 21-7 win with a 4-4 passing performance and running for a key first down, one reporter asked what was up with Luke Moga and Austin Novosad, the QBs everyone expected to be in that role.

"They should go to our locker room and see them carry Brock Thomas up in the locker room after the game," Lanning said. Like, our players see it every day in practice. When has Brock come in and not performed well for us this season? He’s done what we’ve asked him to do every time he’s come in. So, people should stop worrying about it.”

“And they should also know that those other quarterbacks are doing a really good job in practice too,” added Lanning. “But, Brock is playing well, guys, right. Watch the film.”

There's no need to divide a locker room. With the way Oregon recruits and develops players, there's a lot of talent on the roster. When the goal is to win championships, it's important to get the messaging right, keep everyone focused on the goal. Lanning shuts down anything that attempts to sow the seeds of division.