Dan Lanning is just three years into his head coaching career and he has already taken the college football scene by storm. Over his first three years as the head coach of the Oregon Ducks, Lanning led the program to 35 wins and suffered just six losses.
With two bowl wins, a College Football Playoff appearance, and a Big Ten Championship win in his back pocket, Lanning is now regarded as one of the best college football coaches in the nation.
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After just three seasons at the head coaching level, Lanning has earned the respect and admiration of many fellow coaches, football fans, and dozens of players. His knowledge of the defensive side of the ball, his ingenuity to get the big-time wins, and his compassion for the sport have shined brightly over the last three seasons.
Dan Lanning's head coaching career at Oregon
2022 season
- 10-3 overall record, 7-2 Pac-12 record
- T-2nd in Pac-12
- Holiday Bowl victory over North Carolina
- No. 15 finish AP Poll
2023 season
- 12-2 overall record, 8-1 Pac-12 record
- 2nd in Pac-12 (lost to Washington in conference championship)
- Fiesta Bowl victory over Liberty
- No. 6 finish in AP Poll
2024 season
- 13-1 overall record, 9-0 Big Ten record
- 1st in Big Ten (victory over Penn State in conference championship)
- Rose Bowl loss to Ohio State (CFP quarterfinals)
- No. 3 finish in AP Poll
- Two major selectors crowned Oregon the National Champions
To cap off Oregon's incredible 2024 season, Lanning was named the recipient of the 2025 Stallings Award which is given to the head coach who best embodies leadership and compassion.
Every season with the Ducks, Lanning has made the team better and better as Oregon has improved its overall record and standing on an annual basis.
While Lanning hasn't turned the program around, Oregon was already a top-tier program when he took over, the Ducks' head coach has brought the team to the top of the national standings and has transformed Oregon into a blue-blood program.