Dan Lanning, Oregon formally announce Ra'Shaad Samples as new assistant HC, RB coach

On Tuesday, Oregon officially named Ra’Shaad Samples the Ducks’ new assistant head coach and running backs coach.

Most recently, Samples spent the 2023 season as the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator at Arizona State. Before that, he was the running backs coach for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022, after being hired as the youngest position coach in the NFL.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning couldn’t be happier with the hire.

“We are thrilled to be able to add a coach of Ra’Shaad’s caliber to our program,” Lanning said. “Coach Samples is one of the brightest young coaches in all of football, and it is easy to see why he has had such a rapid rise through the coaching ranks.

“He is a dynamic personality who will bring out the very best in our student-athletes both on and off the field, and he will recruit relentlessly to bring the best young men we can find to our program. I am excited to see the impact Ra’Shaad has on our players’ development as we continue to build upon the storied history of running backs here at Oregon.”

Ra’Shaad Samples extensive résumé

Samples not only boasts experience behind the headset, but the face mask, too. The former four-star wide receiver played two seasons at Oklahoma State before transferring to Houston.

After being forced to medically retire due to suffering a number of concussions, Samples joined the staff at Houston as an offensive assistant. In 2018, Texas hired Samples to be the program’s offensive assistant and on-campus recruiting coordinator.

Samples only spent one seasons with the Longhorns before being hired at SMU. While Samples began his time there as an offensive assistant, he was eventually promoted to assistant head coach in 2021. Now, Samples is excited to bring his wealth of coaching experience to Eugene, Ore.

“First, I want to thank Kenny Dillingham and the opportunity he gave me at Arizona state,” Samples said. “He played a big part in my growth but I am tremendously excited and grateful join Dan Lanning and his highly regarded staff at Oregon.

“The chance to learn from some of the best minds in football is invaluable. I am looking forward to adding value and becoming a part of the championship culture Oregon is continuously building on.”

Oregon finished the 2023 campaign with a 12-2 overall record and 8-1 mark in conference play. The program will look to build on its success as Lanning heads into his third season at the helm.