Dan Lanning on Auburn rumors: The grass is not always greener

Dan Lanning’s name has come up in rumors surrounding the vacant head coaching position at Auburn, and the Oregon headman dispelled those talks, saying Oregon is exactly where he wants to be at this point in his coaching career.

“The grass is not always greener,” Lanning said Monday. “The grass is damn green in Eugene. I want to be here in Eugene for as long as Eugene will have me.”

Oregon is one of the hottest teams in the country through Week 10. Riding an eight-game win streak, the Ducks sit atop the Pac-12 standings with a perfect 6-0 record in conference matchups. Quarterback Bo Nix has a legitimate case for the Heisman Trophy, and are ranked No. 8 with three weeks remaining in Lannings inaugural regular season as Oregon head man.

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It would be hard to keep a one loss Ducks team out of the College Football Playoff – assuming they win out, of course. With Oregon in this good of shape this late in the season, Lanning would be leaving a great situation in Eugene to purse the Auburn position.

Full comments from Dan Lanning on Auburn rumors

“First, I will say things like this are going to come up when you have team success and when you do your job and things go the way they’re supposed to go. That’s a credit really to our team. That being said, I think there’s a little bit of a problem in society today with people looking for what’s next and where there’s an opportunity and the reality is the grass is not always green. In fact, the grass in damn green in Eugene.

“And I want to be here in Eugene for as long as Eugene will have me. This place has everything that I could possibly ever want, my family could ever want. I’ve got an 11-year old that’s lived in eight states; the last thing I ever want to do is leave. I want to enjoy this opportunity here. It’s been a phenomenal place for us and when you talk about things that align, things that match your vision of what you’re looking for as a head coach, Oregon checks every box for me.

“So when other people – I think history maybe showed that this is a great place to be and not a great place to leave. I want to be here. Hopefully that’s the last time I have to really address it. The reality is this is a destination not just for me, but for the elite players. And why is it a destination? Because great administration, great fans, great support. It’s a good reason to be here and why we’re having the success that we’re having.”