Dan Lanning bringing experienced assistant to Oregon staff

Oregon has a new defensive line coach, and he’s coming to Eugene with a wealth of experience. According to Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel, longtime assistant coach Tony Tuioti is joining the Ducks.

“Oregon has finalized a deal to make Tony Tuioti the next defensive line coach, sources tell Yahoo Sports,” tweeted Thamel on Wednesday. “He comes from Nebraska and has experience at Cal, Michigan, Hawaii and in the NFL.”

Since 2019, Tuioti has been the defensive line coach for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Prior, his stops include the California Golden Bears, Michigan Wolverines, Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and a short-stint in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns.

In his first gig as a head coach, it’s a big addition for Dan Lanning. Evidently, the new Ducks coach is prioritizing experience throughout his coaching staff. As you can see, there may be no better example than Oregon bringing in Tony Tuioti.

Oregon: Dan Lanning gets his QB

Bringing Tony Tuioti to Oregon isn’t the only big move Dan Lanning made this week. Earlier, former Auburn quarterback Bo Nix announced he was transferring to the program — becoming the next quarterback of the Ducks.

He missed the final two games of 2021 after undergoing ankle surgery. Nix finished the season with 2,294 yards passing, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. Auburn went 6-4 in the 10 games he played.

Oregon finished 2021 as the Pac-12 runner up before coach Mario Cristobal left for Miami. They hired Lanning – the Georgia defensive coordinator – as his replacement. Interestingly enough, the Ducks face the Bulldogs in Week 1 of next season.

Nix’s departure comes as a shock given his strong connection with the program. His father, Patrick, played quarterback for the Tigers from 1992-95. A Pinson, Alabama, native, Nix grew up cheering on Auburn and playing for them seemed like a dream come true.

He didn’t shy away from the hype upon arrival in 2019, either. Bo Nix became the first freshman to start at quarterback for Auburn since 1946, earning SEC Freshman of the Year. He broke Tigers freshman records for passing yards (2,542) and touchdowns (16). They finished 9-4 that year but lost in the Outback Bowl to Minnesota.

The ensuing seasons weren’t nearly as successful as Auburn went a combined 12-10. Gus Malzahn, the coach who Nix signed with in 2019, was let go at the end of the quarterback’s sophomore year. The Tigers brought in Bryan Harsin from Boise State and ended the 2021 season on a four-game losing streak to finish 6-6.