As a guest on the Colin Cowherd podcast Josh Pate point-blank rejected the idea Dan Lanning would take another job in college football, even Clemson or Auburn.
Pate, host of "The Josh Pate College Football Show" didn't hesitate. "No. My answer would have been different ten years ago. I think I can accomplish everything there I can accomplish elsewhere."
"Dan's not leaving Oregon. He's not leaving Oregon because Oregon it's the only place where you have a deal with the school and you've got a separate deal with Phil Knight, basically," Pate said.
"Typically you're talking about, 'Oh, it's gonna' cost $8 million, $10 million, $12 million. When you really understand Dan Lanning's life there, you're talking about a $40 to $50 million buyout. No one's willing to hit that."
"Even if it wasn't that-- So let's just pretend that wasn't the case. Another thing people need to know is when you go up there right now, you sit in his office. you look out, it's cranes everywhere. It's earth-moving everywhere because they're overhauling it again."
"So this time next year, they'll be ahead of the pack again."
Lanning has said often he has everything he needs to succeed at Oregon. He remains grateful that Rob Mullens gave him a chance to be a head coach. He makes approximately $11 million as coach of the Ducks, and his total package is better than many NFL jobs.
Does Dan Lanning EVER leave Oregon for another job?! 🤔🦆 pic.twitter.com/RBHjOjl56W
— DuckZone503 (@DuckZone503) October 3, 2025
Add to that the fact he likes having stability for his family with three boys in school after years of being a coaching vagabond, moving eight times in ten years in his climb from graduate assistant to national champion defensive coordinator. The grass will remain green in Eugene for a long time.
Yet every year when jobs open in the SEC and the NFL, his name comes up again at the top of the rumor list. Programs and franchises want the energy and organization that's made Oregon a buzz-worthy success. He's not leaving.
The only job that might prove a real temptation in the distant future (he's already turned down feelers from Alabama and Texas A&M in previous cycles) might come when Andy Reid retires in Kansas City. That's a call home to the team he rooted for as a boy.
By now, however, Oregon has become home. And his youngest will be in school for another ten years. Better to win eight national championships at Oregon and retire with over 300 wins.