Dan Lanning explains why Will Stein was the 'perfect fit' as new offensive coordinator

Year One is nearly complete for Dan Lanning at Oregon and the program is already experiencing some change. Offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham left in favor of the Arizona State head coaching job, with UTSA‘s Will Stein being brought in to replace him. While the move was not out of the blue, transition periods can still be hard late in the season.

Lanning says one of the cons of hiring top-level coaches is that there are always bigger and better aspirations. He was similar at one point, serving as the defensive coordinator under Kirby Smart at Georgia. Being prepared to endure the changes is where challenges present themselves.

“I think as a coach, you always have to be prepared for transition,” Lanning said. “Especially when you’re successful. When you talk about having a staff that you want to be able to reach their goals and aspirations… you got to be prepared for those moments.”

Stein and Lanning have never worked together, as the two did not even directly know one another. It’s a big jump from a Group of Five school such as UTSA, even with all their success under head coach Jeff Traylor.

But Lanning is confident in his hire, saying you can tell Stein has a successful background.

“More through people,” Lanning said. “Not a direct friendship. For me, it’s about hiring the best people. Doesn’t mean they’re always somebody you’ve spent intimate time with but you can recognize from afar.”

In fact, “perfect fit” was the term used by Lanning.

“After going through a real detailed search and working through with our staff where we thought the direction we wanted to head — he’s a perfect fit,” Lanning said. “He’s an elite coach. He’s experienced as a player and as a coach.

“I love hiring people that have high school coaching experience as well because you see it from a different lens. He’s done that and he’s done it at a really high level. Guy has won everywhere he’s been.”

Stein spent two seasons at Lake Travis High School, one of the top programs in the state of Texas. He served as the assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach. To no surprise, those are the type of guys Traylor hire at UTSA.

And since the move up from the high school ranks, things have worked. UTSA saw offensive improvement — going from 415 yards per game in 2020 to 476 YPG in 2022 — in all three years Stein was there, first as the passing game coordinator and then offensive coordinator.

Will Stein brings valuable relationships in recruiting world

Lanning sees another benefit of hiring a former Texas high school football coach — relationships in the recruiting world. Oregon has attacked the Lone Star State heavily over the years and Lanning has kept the tradition alive.

“When you’re at a school like Lake Travis and some of the stops he’s been, programs like Louisville — he understands what it looks like,” Lanning said. “He’s seen a lot of guys walk through those halls. He’s been a part of signing some great players and developing great players.

“Recruiting is about relationships. If you’re a guy driven by relationships — and Will is — you’re going to be successful on the road doing that.”

Five players from the 2023 class signed with Oregon from Texas, including a National Signing Day Flip from four-star Dripping Springs quarterback Austin Nosovad. Stein had barely been on staff and results were being seen on the recruiting trail.

Dan Lanning explains transition process, situation for bowl game

Oregon still has one game remaining on the schedule, facing North Carolina in the Holiday Bowl. Stein is not fully part of the game plan, being more of an extra set of eyes and ears for the current offensive staff.

However, Lanning is happy with the progress Stein is making in getting accustomed to everyone in the program.

“Transition is common in football,” Lanning said. “It’s been a really great process as he gets connected and gets to know our guys.

“He’s helping us as a coach. But it’s a different role than what it will be next season. Certainly, we’re going to lean on everybody’s expertise. We got an opportunity to get an extra set of eyes that can help you, extra set of ears. You want to use them.”

Stein will officially get his tenure as offensive coordinator underway beginning in spring practice and will have some helpful weapons at his disposal. In a near put-together season from Oregon, Lanning is hoping the hire takes the Ducks to the next level.