Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning has become one of the top coaches in college football. As he has found success at Oregon, people have wondered if he might leave for an NFL job. Recently, Lanning talked about the main difference between college and NFL coaching that keeps him in the college game despite chances to coach professionally.
Why Dan Lanning Chooses College Football Over the NFL: Culture, Impact, and Loyalty to Oregon
Before becoming Oregon’s head coach in December 2021, Lanning worked his way up through coaching jobs. He started as a high school assistant coach, then worked at Pittsburgh (2011) and Arizona State (2012-2013) as a graduate assistant. He also gained experience at Sam Houston State, Alabama, and Memphis.
Lanning’s big break came at Georgia, where he first coached outside linebackers and then became defensive coordinator. From 2019-2021, his Georgia defense was one of the best in the country, allowing just 10.2 points per game in 2021 when they won the national championship.
At Oregon, Lanning has continued to win. In his first two seasons (2022-2023), he went 22-5, including a 12-2 record in 2023 with a Holiday Bowl win over Liberty. His success has made Oregon a strong team as they move from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten conference.
When talking about the differences between college and NFL coaching, Lanning focuses on one main thing that keeps him in college football: the chance to help develop young men during important years in their lives and build deeper relationships with his players.
Unlike the NFL’s business environment, college football lets coaches be mentors to young players. Lanning values being able to impact not just how players perform on the field but who they become as people.
Will Dan Lanning ever coach in the NFL? pic.twitter.com/8ian19e0ov
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“In college football, you get to be part of these guys’ lives at such an important time,” Lanning has said in interviews. “You’re not just developing football players; you’re helping shape who they become as men. That relationship aspect is something special that’s harder to find at the professional level.”
This matches Lanning’s coaching style, which focuses on building team culture and developing players along with teaching football strategy. He tries to create a program where players feel valued as people first and athletes second.
Lanning also enjoys the college football atmosphere, including gameday traditions and campus life. While NFL jobs would likely pay more and offer the chance to coach at the highest level, Lanning seems to prefer helping develop young athletes and experiencing college football’s unique environment.
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As Oregon joins the Big Ten conference, Lanning appears focused on building a championship team rather than planning a move to the NFL.
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