University of Oregon Board of Trustees unanimously approves Dan Lanning contract extension

The University of Oregon Board of Trustees unanimously voted to approve a contract extension for Ducks’ football coach Dan Lanning on Thursday.

The extension which will run through Jan. 31, 2029, makes UO’s second-year head coach the second-highest-paid coach in the Pac-12 and puts him among the top-15 highest-paid nationally. Lanning’s annual salary increases from $4.7 million to $7 million and his buyout has increased to $20 million over the duration of the extension. His contract is fully guaranteed.

“Today’s request for a contract extension for coach Lanning is the first part of a bold vision to ensure that Oregon football and Oregon athletics remain competitive at the highest level of college athletics into the future,” Oregon Athletic Director Rob Mullens during Thursday’s BoT meeting.

If Oregon were to win the College Football Playoff National Championship under Lanning, his salary will increase by an additional $500,000 annually. With his extension, Lanning will also be eligible for bonuses of $150,000 for reaching the first round of the College Football Playoff, $200,000 for reaching the quarterfinals, $250,000 for reaching the semifinals, and $500,000 for reaching the national championship game.

“In coaching, you dream to be at a place where you can both raise your family and win at a high level,” Lanning said in a press release. “Oregon has more than exceeded those expectations for my wife, Sauphia, and our three boys, and this will ensure our boys can all graduate from the same school as we continue to grow roots in the community. I am thrilled to be a part of a program that has a shared vision for how to stay on the cutting edge and achieve great success moving forward, and I am grateful to Phil and Penny Knight, Rob Mullens, and President Scholz for their faith and unwavering support of our program.

“Our relentless pursuit of excellence for the Oregon football program will continue to include an innovative and aggressive approach to student-athlete support, world-class facilities, and all program dynamics as we push forward, and I look forward to all of the great days on the horizon for our student-athletes and Duck fans.”

According to Mullens, Lanning’s extension was supported by UO donors.

“Through the incredible generosity of donors we’re fortunate to be able to request an extension of coach Lanning’s contract today and also prepare for other significant enhancements to keep Oregon football and Oregon athletics positioned at the forefront of student-athlete support of innovation and of facility infrastructure — the things that have helped us be so successful,” Mullens said. “We’re fortunate enough to have such generous philanthropic support for our program, which affords us the opportunity to fund such important strategic initiatives.”

Lanning was hired to replace Mario Cristobal in December 2021 and inked a six-year deal worth $29.1 million.

During Lanning’s first season in Eugene, the Ducks went 10-3 and capped off their season with a Holiday Bowl win over North Carolina.

During the 2022 recruiting cycle, Lanning and his staff landed a signing class that was the 11th-best in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, and featured a handful of blue-chip recruits including offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. and cornerback Jahlil Florence.

Oregon’s 2023 class was the eighth-best in the nation according to the On3 Industry Rankng and includes 5-star receiver Jurrion Dickey and 4-star EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei.

The Ducks will kick off their 2023 season when they host Portland State at Autzen Stadium on Sept. 2.