Oregon officially announces Dan Lanning as new head coach

The speculation can end, as Oregon has made things official with new head coach Dan Lanning.

Got our guy. @CoachDanLanning is the 35th head coach in Oregon football history! #GoDucks

More: https://t.co/LDBKp2iOgh pic.twitter.com/6AAZAkVz0N

— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) December 12, 2021

The move had been rumored in recent days, as Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Friday that Lanning would be heading to Eugene. On Saturday, several sources, including On3’s Matt Zenitz, confirmed the news.

Oregon will formally introduce Lanning at a press conference at 2:00 p.m. PT on Monday. However, Lanning will remain coaching the Bulldogs for the College Football Playoff before permanently heading out West.

In the university’s announcement, Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens touted his new coach.

“Dan is an outstanding, high-energy football coach who will provide a world-class experience for our football student-athletes,” Mullens said. “He is a tremendous recruiter and developer of talent, and we will continue to compete for championships while providing an environment where our football student-athletes can develop to their fullest potential in the classroom, on the football field, and as people.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to have Dan as the leader of our football program, and we look forward to the positive impact he will have on our student-athletes. We are excited to welcome Dan, Sauphia, Caden, Kniles, and Titan to the Oregon family!”

Lanning is the third new Pac-12 head coach this season, joining Washington’s Kalen DeBoer and Washington State’s Jake Dickert. Of course, Lanning’s primary Pac-12 recruiting competition, at least initially, will be new USC head coach Lincoln Riley. The Ducks made major inroads in California under former head coach Mario Cristobal, and Lanning will try to keep those battles largely in favor of the Ducks.

Lanning has been Georgia’s defensive coordinator since 2019 after a year as the outside linebackers coach. The Missouri native also brings national championship experience with him to Oregon, as he served as a graduate assistant at Alabama in 2015. That year, the Crimson Tide defeated Clemson 45-40 in the national title game. From Tuscaloosa, Lanning went to Memphis for two years before landing at Georgia.