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‘He demands excellence’: Dan Lanning shares Jeff Bassa's crucial role in Oregon's defense

Dan Lanning, an architect of great defenses, sure seems thrilled with the way that Jeff Bassa is developing as a leader on the defensive side of things for the Oregon football team.

By Ethan Lee

Jul 25, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Jeffrey Bassa speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 25, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Jeffrey Bassa speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports / Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
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The Oregon Ducks football program is known for a few things, including a thrilling offense and fascinating uniforms. But Dan Lanning, the head coach of the Oregon football team, is a defensive mastermind and has an impressive pedigree on that side of the ball. So it makes sense that he would work to bring that to the Oregon Ducks.

And a key aspect of the Oregon Ducks improving on that side of the ball is having a seasoned leader on the field for the Oregon football team. That’s just one reason why Jeff Bassa got highlighted during the 2024 Big Ten Media Days.

When he got to speak with media members covering the Oregon Ducks’ new conference at Big Ten Media Days, Lanning took the opportunity to highlight Bassa and the leadership and talent that he brings to the table. 

“This guy has grown and grown every single year that I've been here into this leadership role to the point where we now have a coach on the field,” Lanning bragged. 

That’s high praise coming from a guy who was instrumental in helping Kirby Smart develop stunning defenses in Athens with the Georgia Bulldogs. Lanning, who is one of the brightest young coaches in college football right now, certainly knows what it’s like to develop as a leader and he seems to be identifying that sort of growth in Bassa.

Oregon football: Dan Lanning highlights Jeff Bassa as a coach on the field for the Ducks

“If we had to have Jeff call the defense, he can tell you why he's calling it and what he's doing," Lanning explained. 

I, for one, am thrilled to see how Bassa impacts Oregon’s defense this season. That level of understanding and leadership is hard to find and it’s hard to develop, but Lanning seems very confident in the way that Bassa has improved with the Ducks to where he can now do that for Oregon.

“He's a true leader,” Lanning said. “He wants to attack his game. He doesn't want you to tell him all the things he's great at, he wants to be coached. He coaches the guys around him. He demands excellence.”

That seems like a pretty great endorsement to have. And if Bassa can continue to grow and develop this season, then the Oregon football team will certainly benefit from having his leadership on that side of the ball.

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