When Dan Lanning left Georgia to take the Oregon job in 2021, the buzz was cautious. He was just 35, had never been a head coach, and was stepping into a role vacated by Mario Cristobal. But now, just a few years later, it’s clear, Lanning didn’t just take over Oregon football. He’s transformed it.
Analysts and insiders now say Lanning’s vision isn’t just working; it’s thriving. From elite recruiting to producing NFL talent and building a fast, physical team for Big Ten play, Lanning’s strategic decisions have pushed Oregon from good to great.
And if recent seasons and the 2025 roster are any proof, his “power grab” was more like a calculated takeover.
Analysts Break Down the Bold Decisions That Defined Dan Lanning’s Oregon Tenure
Lanning came to Oregon with a detailed vision, and he wasted no time making it known. Before the 2022 offseason, he met with Oregon athletic director Rob Mullins and mapped out exactly how he planned to turn the Ducks into a national powerhouse.
That plan is already taking shape. From recruiting to player development, Oregon is beginning to look like the contender Lanning promised.
One major part of Lanning’s plan? Development. Pate highlighted how former under-the-radar players like T.J. Johnson and portal pickups like Derrick Harmon improved their draft stock in Eugene.
“You can argue Harmon was an NFL Draft pick before… but he’s improved his draft stock,” Pate said.
Recruiting has also skyrocketed. Oregon’s 2024 recruiting class was ranked 3rd nationally and 1st in the Big Ten, and Lanning’s ability to lock down the West Coast while poaching SEC-caliber talent shows he’s no longer building; he’s stacking.
And perhaps most notably, the Ducks are winning big games. Oregon went 13-0 in the Big Ten regular season, proving Lanning could blend Pac-12 speed with Big Ten toughness.
“They can play that three yards and a cloud of dust… they lived up to that billing,” Pate said.
Inside the Oregon Power Grab: 5 Moves That Changed Everything
1. Mapping the Vision with Rob Mullins
Lanning’s first “power move” wasn’t on the field; it was in the meeting room. Pitching a detailed plan to Mullins that mirrored Georgia’s blueprint, he got full administrative buy-in early, giving him the room to overhaul the program his way.
2. Dominating the Transfer Portal
While many coaches dabbled in the portal, Lanning owned it. Players like Derrick Harmon (Michigan State) and Evan Stewart (Texas A&M) became instant-impact additions. Harmon especially helped anchor Oregon’s fast, powerful defensive front.
3. Turning Unknowns into Draft Picks
It’s one thing to recruit talent, another to develop it. T.J. Johnson, a former no-name to casual fans, was drafted after two stellar seasons under Lanning. That player development track record is drawing elite talent who want to be NFL-ready.
4. Rebuilding for Big Ten Brutality
To compete in the Big Ten, Oregon had to toughen up, and it has. Lanning’s defenses are now among the fastest and deepest in the country, and the Ducks can grind out wins with physicality, not just flash.
KEEP READING: Oregon Football Top 10 Returning Players in 2025 Include Matayo Uiagalelei, Evan Stewart
5. Betting Big on Dante Moore
After quarterback Bo Nix graduated, Lanning made a bold move by going all in on former five-star Dante Moore. In the spring game, Moore looked composed and confident, showing flashes of the talent that made him one of the top recruits in the country.
“Overall, today was just good, just to have fun… being out there in the environment with the fans,” Moore said after the game.
His growth and leadership could define Oregon’s next chapter.
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