Report: Oregon coach Dan Lanning eyeing Florida State coordinator

Just one day after being introduced as the next Oregon football coach, Dan Lanning is already working to lock down a coordinator. Florida State offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham is an early candidate to take the same job in Eugene, per The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman.

Dillingham and Lanning coached together for two years in Memphis from 2016 to 2017. Lanning was the inside linebackers coach while Dillingham went from a graduate assistant to eventually quarterbacks coach.

Dillingham became the offensive coordinator in 2018, while Lanning left to become the linebackers coach at Georgia. Lanning was promoted to defensive coordinator just one season later. Dillingham then went on to become the offensive coordinator at Auburn in 2019 before leaving for Florida State the next season.

Under his direction, the Seminoles averaged 378.9 yards and 27.6 points per game this season.

Dillingham began his coaching career at the young age of 17 after tearing his ACL during his senior year of high school. He went on to coach at his alma mater, Chapparal High School (AZ), while he studied in college at Arizona State. At just 21, he was promoted to offensive coordinator.

He was hired as an offensive analyst for Arizona State in 2014 under Mike Norvell, the current coach of Florida State.

Given his connection to the Pac-12 and West, it makes sense that Dillingham would have interest in the Ducks job. His already existing relationship with Lanning is yet another reason he may make the leap.

Oregon finished this year with a 10-2 regular season record, making the Pac-12 Championship Game for the third consecutive season. However, they lost to Utah by score of 38-10.

Not long after, Ducks coach Mario Cristobal announced he was leaving to take the head job at his alma mater, Miami. In his five years with Oregon, he compiled a 35-13 record and won two conference titles.

The Ducks are set to face Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29.