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Dan Lanning’s first year as the head coach of the Oregon Ducks has been a resounding success. While things looked rough early on, Lanning’s Ducks have ripped off eight straight victories and currently sit No. 6 in the most recent AP Poll.
The Ducks control their destiny in the Pac-12 and could well do the same for the College Football Playoff rankings. So then, it was a bit interesting to see Lanning’s name come up in connection to the vacant Auburn Tigers head coaching gig.
The Tigers fired former head coach Bryan Harsin last Monday after less than two full seasons. Harsin came to Auburn from Boise State and never really got things going in the SEC. The vacant job is considered by some to be one of the best jobs in the country. Names such as Lane Kiffin and Deion Sanders have repeatedly been linked to the opening.
But Lanning’s name was a new one. And now he’s making it clear that you can take his name off of the list.
Oregon Coach Dan Lanning Shuts Down Any Talk Of Him Taking The Auburn Job
Lanning is 36 years old and lived in six different states over the last decade. The Ducks provided him with his first head coaching opportunity, and if it were up to him it sounds like it would be his last as well.
Oregon’s Dan Lanning was asked about a fan blog affiliated with Sports Illustrated reporting “mutual interest” between him and Auburn.
Lanning’s initial response — shaking his head in disbelief — is what you’d expect.
Media literacy is important, even in the silly world of CFB. pic.twitter.com/YKKSGwAHZZ
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) November 8, 2022
“First thing I want to say is that things like this are going to come up when you have team success and you do your job and things go the way they’re supposed to go. That’s (a) credit to our team,” he said “That being said, I think there’s a little bit of a problem in our society today with people looking for what’s next and where there’s an opportunity, and the reality is the grass is not always greener. In fact, the grass is damn green in Eugene, and I want to be here in Eugene for as long as Eugene will have me.”
Lanning went on to explain that settling down in Eugene is not just about him, but also about his family.
“This place has everything I could possibly ever want; that my family could ever want. I have an 11-year-old that has lived in eight different states. The last thing I ever want to do is leave,” Lanning continued. “I want to enjoy this opportunity here. It’s been a phenomenal place for us. When you talk about things that align, things that match your vision for what you’re looking for as a head coach, Oregon checks every box for me.”
Coaches shooting down rumors is nothing new. But it’s refreshing to see a coach speak in depth about the decision-making process and why they want to stay. It appears Lanning is prepared to be an Oregon Duck for as long as they’ll have him.