The Oregon Ducks finally stepped to the podium for Big Ten Media Days after making a big splash on day one with a massive inflatable duck floating down the White River in Indianapolis.
While Puddles made a big first impression as the Ducks enter the Big Ten for the 2024 season, it was Dan Lanning who had all eyes on him as Oregon looks to break into the College Football Playoff following a 12-2 season last year.
What were some of the biggest takeaways from Coach Lanning’s big debut in the Big Ten?
Three Takeaways From Dan Lanning Speaking at Big Ten Media Days
Lanning enters his third year at Oregon after being one of the most sought-after head coaches in the country in the offseason following the retirement of Nick Saban, and for good reason. At just 38 years of age, Lanning has a 22-5 record with a Pac-12 Championship Game appearance to his credit in just two years at the helm.
Oregon hit the transfer portal hard after posting back-to-back top 10 recruiting classes under Lanning, adding a lot of talent and depth, including at the quarterback position with Dillon Gabriel.
1) Oregon Wants To Be Recognized For Being Different
If making a splash was priority No. 1 for the Autzen contingent, a giant inflatable duck floating down the river in Indianapolis is certainly one way to do that. Lanning said as much in his address to media members at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“We’re mighty different, mighty different in a lot of ways. You look out there in the pond, you’ll see a big old duck,” he said. “I hope we get to travel that duck to all our away games this year.”
While the duck’s travel plans remain to be seen, it is evident that Lanning has embraced the flash and splendor that comes with being in charge of a program well-known for the backing of famous Nike founder Phil Knight.
Lanning certainly isn’t shying away from the brand that Oregon has developed in the past.
“We’re mighty different when it comes to the jerseys we get to wear or the facilities we’re in. We’re innovative,” Lanning said. “We’ve always been on the cutting edge of everything we do. We certainly positioned ourselves to be on the cutting edge, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to compete in the Big Ten.”
If the usage of the word “mighty” feels intentional, that would fit with everything that Lanning has done in his tenure in Eugene.
His comments before the Colorado game in 2023 were only overshadowed by the result, a 42-6 thumping that smashed the glass-slipper hopes of the Buffs of becoming a Cinderella darling in football.
Lanning has recruited well, coached hard, and clearly has no plans to change any of that as Oregon enters into the Big Ten.
While some may question the Ducks’ level of toughness, Lanning seems to think there’s a “mighty” good chance they can not only survive but win the Big Ten doing it their way.
2) There Are a Lot of New Faces Joining the Ducks in Eugene
Turnover is nothing new for any team in the era of the transfer portal and NIL deals, but Oregon has made significant changes to personnel since Lanning has taken over.
While it is only his third year as head coach, Lanning mentioned just how many new players there are since he’s taken over.
“It’s a brand-new team. It’s not the same team as last year,” he said. “On our team right now are 10 players who were on the team when I first got here, so we’re talking about a new group.”
Gabriel headlines the list of newcomers to the program as he looks to replace Bo Nix at the quarterback position. Lanning had high praise for a player he’s known for some time, praising Gabriel for his leadership since arriving in Eugene.
“Those moments, those moments away from football where we get an opportunity to connect … and then seeing him carry those same moments over to our players.
“Seeing the way he operates in our locker room. Really has a passion for the game and a passion to be great, and we’re excited to have that on our team.”
Quarterback wasn’t the only position hit hard by departures, though. The Ducks will have to replace four interior defensive linemen, including stalwart Brandon Dorius, who was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2023 NFL Draft. Lanning praised his staff for how they were able to move forward following the departures.
“I’m really proud of the way our personnel department and coaching staff went and attacked that,” Lanning said. “We’ve recruited really well in that area, especially in the high school ranks, and that’s where we build our team first.
“I think we signed 25 high school players this past year. But that’s a position that takes development. You have to get them kind of quick. We were able to bring in some guys in the portal. And then grow the guys on our roster for a really strong two deep that can compete.”
Time will tell if the group can stand up to the rigors of Big Ten football, but Lanning is well aware of what is required of the Ducks in their new home, and the roster changes certainly reflect that.
3) Connection Is the Key
Lanning opened his comments with a variety of information, from thanking Big Ten commissioner Tony Pettiti to sharing anecdotes from the summer, both good and bad.
Throughout his remarks, one theme was consistent, and it is a theme that Lanning says was reiterated to the coaches in his program during a leadership retreat.
“We spent some time going over future opponents, summer scouting, and really leaning in on one of the most important traits in our program, which is connection,” Lanning said. “Focusing in on the roots of our program, what makes us an elite coaching staff, how we can build our roster, what things are going to be in front of us and our future.”
He used the phrase again when remarking on how he was able to lure Dillon Gabriel to Eugene, noting that he had recruited Gabriel and grown close to his family while he was at Georgia.
“Yeah, one of our DNA traits is connection. You lean on prior experience.”
“Dillon is a guy that I knew before in the recruiting process and got to watch him from a distance. Being from Hawaii, I think it means a lot to him to be able to represent Oregon
and our strong history there in the state.”
Throughout his presser and truly his tenure, Lanning has preached the importance of connection and building relationships as a way of getting the most out of his players. To date, it’s been a positive as the Ducks have elevated themselves into the upper tier of the college football landscape.
As Lanning enters into Year 3 and arguably faces his toughest challenge yet in a new conference that stretches across the entire country, the DNA of his program will be on display in a new, more scrutinized way than ever before.
If past history is any indication, Lanning will trust on own confidence and the relationships he’s built to make it a success.
KEEP READING: Big Ten Power Rankings, 2024
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!