Dan Lanning discusses ‘bittersweet summer’ as Oregon football’s Big Ten Era begins
By Ethan Lee
The Oregon Ducks are entering a new era as they finish moving into the Big Ten Conference and Oregon football’s head coach Dan Lanning sure seems ready for the challenge. When speaking during the 2024 Big Ten Media Days, Lanning shared a bit about his summer and reflected in a way that helps remind college football fans that coaches and players are, indeed, still human.
Lanning spoke about his family time and the trips he’s been taking, offering fans a glimpse at what a coach’s personal life looks like.
"This summer has been absolutely bittersweet for me," Lanning shared. “I got to spend great time with my family. We went back and spent some time in Missouri. Got to explore a lot of places here on the West Coast, the Pacific Northwest, and it's just absolutely beautiful country.”
The head coach of the Oregon football team got to roam a bit over the summer and, as he gets set to lead the Ducks into uncharted territory in the Big Ten, he’s excited for the folks in his new conference to get to see just how beautiful the state of Oregon is.
"I'm really excited for everybody in the Big Ten, the fans to get to experience some of the beauty that exists here in Oregon," Lanning said.
Oregon football: Dan Lanning shares about personal life during 2024 Big Ten Media Days
Lanning also shared some sentiments that parents can relate to. Lanning’s three kids are all away at a church camp and that gave the head coach of the Ducks a chance to contemplate how quickly time has been moving.
"I wish I could freeze time,” Lanning mused. “Some of you parents out there know how valuable that is."
There are going to be plenty of people (myself included) who will be able to agree with that sort of sentiment. And that little glimpse of humanity is always good to see. It’s sometimes easy for some to forget that college football coaches are people. Little reminders like this are certainly a welcomed sight.
The Oregon Ducks football program is entering into a new chapter in the Big Ten and Lanning’s personal insights provide a humanizing perspective on the head coach of the Ducks. I, for one, am all on board with seeing this become more common in this sport.