Oregon RB coach Ra'Shaad Samples reaffirms commitment to Oregon after NFL interest

Oregon running backs coach Ra’Shaad Samples is returning to the program next season. Samples’ future with the Ducks was uncertain after reports emerged that the Dallas Cowboys were targeting him for a position on their staff. On Monday, Samples confirmed his return with a simple post.

“#ScoDucks,” Samples wrote on X.

This past season was Samples’ first with Oregon. The Ducks’ backfield averaged 157.9 rushing yards per game this season, ranking 72nd in the country.

Samples will have an excellent opportunity to lead Oregon’s rushing attack to more success this season, with the addition of Tulane transfer Makhi Hughes. The standout RB was the No. 1 running back in the transfer portal this offseason, according to On3’s 2025 Transfer Portal Player Rankings.

In his two seasons with the Green Wave, Hughes amassed 523 carries for 2,779 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. Hughes also hauled in 30 catches for 243 yards and two scores over the two-season stint.

For his success on the field, Hughes was named an All-AAC First Team member in both the 2023 and 2024 campaigns. Now, Samples can help Hughes find similar success with the Ducks.

Samples does more for the Ducks than simply coach up their running backs. He’s also one of the team’s most valuable recruiters and has been instrumental in securing top-ranked recruits out of Texas such as five-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore.

Lanning was ecstatic to add Samples to his staff ahead of last season.

“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,” Lanning said. “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.”

With Samples out of the picture, the Cowboys ultimately hired Derrick Foster as their new running backs coach. Foster served in the same role for the New Orleans Saints this season and for the Los Angeles Chargers from 2021-2023, helping guide Austin Ekeler to success.

Although there may be other opportunities down the road for Ra’Shaad Samples, the young assistant coach is seemingly excited to run it back with the Ducks this year.