The latest on Oregon's offensive coordinator search, according to Dan Lanning

The question on every Oregon fan’s mind at the moment is: Who will be the Ducks’ next offensive coordinator?

Former OC Kenny Dillingham took the head coaching job at Arizona State a week ago today, leaving Dan Lanning with a massive hole to fill in his staff.

In the days that have followed, there have been rumors aplenty regarding who Oregon might hire to replace him.

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On Sunday, Lanning spoke with reporters via Zoom and fielded a handful of questions regarding the Ducks’ offensive coordinator search. He also discussed what the play-calling situation might look like when Oregon faces North Carolina in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 28.

Here’s a rundown of everything Lanning had to say on the subject.

When did he know that Dillingham was moving on to ASU, and did that give him a jump start on the OC search?

“You try to be prepared for those moments all the time. When you hire really good coaches, you know that you’re going to get great opportunities for them down the road. One thing that I’ve said from day one is — whether it’s a player going on to the NFL, or a coach getting the opportunity to go on and be a head coach, you want those moments to happen. You want to hire good people and create moments like that for people.

“Usually these things go really, really quick. I knew that there was always going to be an opportunity, potentially, for Kenny, and there will be for other coaches in the future on our staff. We’re going to be a staff that has great coaches. So, they’re going to have opportunities to get other chances.

“But that one happened really quick; toward the end of the season, it was rapid. But certainly, we have a plan in place as we move forward.”

On the status of the OC search, and what characteristics are attractive for the position

“It’s going really well. I’d love to sit here and say I could tell you an announcement right now. I’m not ready to be in that position. But we are getting close.

“I feel that the interest in this job is, obviously, extreme. You get an opportunity to be thorough and diligent as you go through that process and look for opportunities to enhance your program. I’ll also tell you that we have some phenomenal coaches here on our staff that are certainly qualified to be the offensive coordinator here, and that’s something that we’ll definitely explore every opportunity here as we move forward and what that’ll look like.

“I’m not going to ask anybody to come in right now and call the bowl game. Different from what we’ve done in the past. I don’t think that’s fair to bring a brand new coach and ask them to call the bowl game when there is terminology and some differences there. With that being said, Drew Mehringer, Junior Adams, Adrian Klemm, Carlos Locklyn, our offensive staff will prep us. Jordan Somerville will prep us as we move into the bowl game and be ready to take on the bowl game and compete with some of that same terminology and things that we’ve attacked this season.”

On who will handle Oregon’s OC duties during the Holiday Bowl

 “I think it’ll be a collaborative effort with our offensive staff. I think Coach Mehringer and Coach Adams will really take on the lead roles there. Again, they’ve both been coordinators in the past. We certainly have a staff that’s qualified to do that. They’ve been a big part. I think Kenny would be the first one to tell you that they’ve been a big part of this process this entire season and the success that we’ve had on offense, and they’ll continue to be that moving forward for us.

“So I see it being a collaborative effort with the offense but Coach Mehringer and Coach Adams really taking care of the lead role on some of those things.”

On if Oregon’s next OC must have a hurry-up, no-huddle pedigree, and how the rumors surrounding the OC hire affect players and recruits

“Ultimately, this is the Oregon system. We have an offensive plan that we put together when we got here. That doesn’t change when the offensive coordinator changes. There are some things that we believe in there that we’re going to carry as long as I’m here. We’re gonna have a philosophy and in what we look like. We’re going to be able to adapt moving forward and the traits of who we are, that’s not really going to change.

“As you look for a fit you look for somebody that brings elements to the program that you’re excited about. Some things that you can adapt, grow. Every year, we’re going to do a self-scout and evaluate what we can do better. Find some things that we think are areas for us to grow. But college football changes every year. So if we came out and we ran the exact same offense next year that we ran this year with no changes, that would be a poor performance on our part.

“We’re going to grow and play to the strengths of our players and I expect whoever we have there and in the offensive coordinator chair to do the same thing.”

On how he handles the rumors regarding OC candidates

“I don’t really worry about other people’s expectations. What you do is you hire the best people you possibly can for the job. I know 12 months ago, there were some hires that I made that people weren’t necessarily as excited about. I think the results speak for themselves. We did really well. So people are gonna write whatever they want.

Here’s what you have to know: I’m going to do anything and everything I can to make sure we get the best people in place for Oregon to be successful in football. Luckily here we have the ability to go attract the best of the best. Don’t really care what logo they have on, don’t care what team they’re associated with. I’m interested in getting the best people. When you get an opportunity to get the best people that’s when you have a chance to be successful in the field.

“You know what? Players know it the minute you put them in front of them in the room. The minute you go out there on the practice field; they realize what good coaching looks like. We’re going to make sure that we have good coaches in place to enhance our program.”

On the timeline for when he hopes to make an OC hire

“Somewhere between now and when it happens. It’ll happen when it happens. Don’t worry, we’re not going to coach with nine next year. We’re gonna make sure we have 10, and we’re gonna be really good at it. I promise you.”

On what offensive analyst Jordan Somerville means to the program

“Well, this great opportunity for me to shout him out. Jordan — along with a lot of our young coaches on our staff here — Jordan has experience he came here as a guy that was a full-time position coach in Division I football. He’s done an outstanding job and he has the respect and admiration of our players. He’s done a good job in recruiting. He’s done a good job in relationships and he certainly is a good coach.

“So, it’s a good opportunity for him to be able to elevate and excited to see what he does with those guys.”