Dan Lanning Opens up at Oregon's Media Day

On Monday Oregon head coach Dan Lanning met with media for roughly 20 minutes answering questions. Lanning has been all over the airwaves the last week or so with Big Ten media days, appearances on the Pat McAfee show and Joel Klatt’s show among others.

Here are some of the top statements from him during the Q&A period in Eugene.

Opening Statement:

“First off just want to take the time to thank you guys for being here and the job you do covering our program and giving it the exposure and attention our fans want to receive. This is kind of a new reset for us. Fall camp is here. It’s a sign that football is here, which is awesome. And we’re really four weeks away from hopping into game planning for Idaho. But these next four weeks are really critical to the success of our program. Certainly excited about the direction of our team, where we’re headed. I feel like we have a healthy team right now. You talk about eliminating distractions and that’s a big part of what we’re doing with our guys. Focusing on the things we can control.

Honoring Khyree Jackson:

“There will be a few things. One of the things we’ve done in the past is a helmet sticker to recognize him. Then there’s some stuff we do within our own team. How we start off our team meetings and stuff like that. He’ll always be there in our thoughts.”

On Dillon Gabriel:

“I think Dillon just has a great self awareness. I’ve talked a lot about his leadership the last week. But maybe that doesn’t give enough credit to the player he is. He has an opportunity to really break some doors open here with starts, amount of yards he’s thrown for. But that’s not what motivates him. He’s done a great job of picking up our install. He’s brought some ideas to us as well that he does really well.”

Health Update: Noah Whittington, Andrew Boyle, Dave Iuli:

“I think we’ll see all those guys in action.”

On Bryce Boettcher:

“It’s something we had conversations with kind of before it all came full circle about what his goals are, his aspirations. You get so excited for a player that does so many things right. Obviously an outstanding season for Waz. The hard work that he does and how it’s played out I’m excited for him this season.”

On Roster Turnover:

“I think the depth of our team is a lot different now than when we first got here. And that’s always going to happen with transition. I think our development staff, our recruiting staff, our coaches have all figured out really good ways of making healthy competition. We’re bigger on both sides of the ball. That’s important. We have more leadership on our team than when we first got here.”

On Growth as a HC:

“I don’t think there’s one lesson, there’s a million lessons. Before I talked about your drinking out of a firehose when you first get here. Then you might try to anticipate which issues would come up. Now I think we’re ahead of those issues. There’s still a lot of growth for me and our team.”

On APR Numbers:

“I think in the landscape of college football with things changing there’s a learning curve. It will always be something that’s important to us.”

On Iapani Laloulou:

“Poncho is just a fun guy to be around. We had a camp here a couple days ago and there’s no intention that Poncho needed to be out here but he’s a guy that loves to be around his teammates, be around ball. He’s a great example of connection. I think having his brother around as an influence was important early in his career.”

On Rashaad Samples:

“I think he brings great energy and enthusiasm on the field. I think he’s a very intelligent coach. I’m really excited about what he brings here and how he hit the ground running. He’s done an unbelievable job building those relationships.”

On WR Room:

“It’s great to have great players obviously. It’s even better when you have coaches that can adapt. I think Will Stein has done a great job utilizing that room and coach Adams for creating great competition.”

On Taking the Inflatable Duck to Away Games:

“It’s probably wishful thinking. It’s too big, I don’t think it will fit on the plane.”

On Getting Into the EA CFB Game:

“Just ask. I don’t really care that much about it.”

On Jahlil Florence’s Injury:

“He’s probably not quite there yet. He’s a guy we’ll continue to monitor as we go through Fall camp. But he’s close.”