Oregon head coach Dan Lanning seems to garner praise from just about every direction, as players, alums, donors, and pundits all line up to give him his flowers. Yet, when an NFL coach, early in his career, publicly makes sure to compliment, that goes a long way to define the respect level the Ducks coach achieved.
That’s exactly what Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald did as he described his affinity and professional connection to Lanning.
Mike Macdonald is a Big Fan of Dan Lanning
During the offseason, a plethora of coaches will conduct coaching clinics. The heads of programs from high school and college gather to exchange ideas, network, and listen to keynote speakers.
Some speakers include current and former coaches and assistants, legends in their field. In April, Macdonald will take the trip to Eugene and spend time at Lanning’s camp. For an NFL coach to eagerly attend speaks volumes about Lanning. MacDonald’s quotes, via Oregon Live, are overflowing with admiration.
“(It will) be an honor to go talk with him and talk ball. I did tell him,’ I don’t know about the whole auditorium — just let’s go talk ball for a couple of hours man and try to get these coaches, give them some stuff that’ll help them, they can take back to their program,” Macdonald said.
Unlike many FBS coaches, Lanning didn’t start at a school at that level. He never even played Division I or II football. Instead, he plied his trade at Division III William Jewell College as a linebacker.
From there, a rapid rise through the ranks landed him in Eugene. After starting his coaching career at Park Hill South High School, he took a graduate assistant job at Pittsburgh in 2011. In the fourteen years following the first gig, Lanning made one leap up in job status after another.
Since Oregon hired him as head coach, their coach compiled three ten-win seasons and a 35-6 record with two bowl wins in three tries.
A New Era in Oregon
Oregon, since the days of Joey Harrington and Akili Smith made their national reputation on the backs of a prolific offense. Marcus Mariota earned a Heisman as a Duck.
Meanwhile, Lanning crafted the team in his image. Yes, the Ducks still break scoreboards. However, their head coach pays attention to the defense. Since his arrival, Lanning improved the team in a statistic that literally wins games under the noses of many.
From 2022-2024, Oregon’s plus-27 turnover margins mean the offense still stretches the field, but it takes the ball while the defense swarms to create turnovers.
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National collegiate kudos aside, Lanning’s credibility extends to the NFL. Still not quite 40 years old, you could possibly see a professional franchise call Lanning, especially if the Ducks win a national championship.
MacDonald worked his way up from humble beginnings, but he never forgot where he started as a lowly assistant. Now, he repays the efforts of his friend with an NFL light shining directly on him.
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