Dan Lanning responds to Skip Bayless criticism, praises Deion Sanders

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning took a lot of heat over the last few days for his pregame speech ahead of his team’s game versus Colorado. He also received criticism for his playcalling against the Buffaloes, including decision to go for it on fourth down and go for two in a game the Ducks won 42-6.

Among those criticizing Lanning was Fox Sports commentator Skip Bayless.

Lanning responded to those criticisms during his Monday press conference after being asked about with the questioner mentioned Bayless by name in his question.

“I don’t know Skip at all. I’ve never had a conversation with him. I’ve watched him enough to know how often he gets it wrong so that sounds about right. But, ultimately, here’s what I say: we’re playing to win the game. You saw a 15-second clip from a window outside the house of what happens in a locker room. I know our locker room. I’m in the house 100% of the time. I know how our players felt going into that game — and I know what it takes to motivate our players. That’s my job to motivate our players. He has a job. I have a job too,” Lanning said.

“But inside that house, they felt a certain way. They felt a certain way about a group stomping on the O. They felt a certain way about guys talking to ’em in the pregame. I’m proud of those guys because what they decided to do is talk with their pads. They didn’t want to do anything extra afterwards. They wanted to talk with their pads and they did that on Saturday.”

The Ducks steamrolled the Buffaloes in Eugene, Ore., as the Colorado offense was held to only 199 yards of offense during the game. Bo Nix led the way with 276 passing yards and three touchdowns for Oregon.

People interpreted Lanning’s pregame speech — where he said Colorado was fighting for clicks and his team was fighting for wins — as being a shot at Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders. But Lanning said he has nothing but respect for Sanders.

“I’m also grateful and can clearly acknowledge that the attention that we got this Saturday, in large part, was due to Deion and what he’s doing to college football. If anybody can’t see what he’s done for college football and how he’s bringing excitement to college football, you’re crazy. I said that last week as well. He’s done a lot for the game. He’s building something over there. I think that’s really, really clear. There’s no secret there. But it wouldn’t matter if I was playing my 10-year-old son on the other sideline. I’m gonna do everything I can to win. If I’m playing Bill Belichick, I’m gonna do everything I can to win,” Lanning said.

“Did I go for it on fourth down? Yeah, I have every game this year. I’ve gone for it nine times. Did I go for a two point conversion? Yeah, I’ve done it three out of four games this year. If we play again tomorrow, I’m gonna do the same thing. I’m gonna do everything I can to win a game and everything I cannot motivate my team. That, to me, is classless what he’s saying there but I’m not really worried about it.”

Still, it doesn’t seem like Lanning or Bayless will be attending any Christmas parties together.