It was reported that the Alabama Crimson Tide would hire Nick Saban’s successor within 72 hours. Mere hours after Saban’s retirement was announced, Oregon’s Dan Lanning was rumored to be in Tuscaloosa. But Lanning was not, in fact, in Alabama at all this week and will return to his duties as the Ducks’ head coach for the foreseeable future.
Dan Lanning Spurns Alabama, Remains Oregon’s Head Coach
Alabama needed to act fast, as much of the program’s storied success came with Saban at the helm. Recruits were understandably wary, with five-star wide receiver Ryan Williams decommitting shortly after the news broke. And although there are plenty of worthy candidates available, Lanning seemingly rose to the top — until now.
Lanning announced he will remain at Oregon, saying, “The grass is not always greener. In fact, the grass is damn green in Eugene.” But what about the flight paths!? That private charter from Eugene, Oregon, to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, could’ve been Alabama representatives coming home after receiving a rejection from Lanning.
Was he their No. 1 target? Possibly, but it all could have been a smoke screen as well. The clock is ticking on Bama’s supposed 72-hour clock to find Saban’s replacement, and they are down a suitable option.
After bursting onto the scene as a co-defensive coordinator for the national title-winning Georgia Bulldogs, Lanning proved his mettle as a head coach for the Ducks. In his two seasons with the program, he’s posted a 22-5 record with Holiday and Fiesta Bowl victories.
Sure, Oregon didn’t make the postseason dance in either year, but they cracked the top six in the AP Poll and College Football Playoff rankings and generated their first back-to-back 10+ win campaigns since 2013-2014.
With a buyout of $20 million, Lanning would’ve been an expensive hire. But as a recognized recruiter, defensive guru, leader of men, and developer of talent, it’s hard to argue against his pedigree.
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It’s not as if Lanning is an unknown for the Crimson Tide, either — he was with the program as a graduate assistant when they won the national championship in 2015 and played a large role as Georgia’s co-defensive coordinator when they knocked off Bama in the 2021 title match.
Lanning’s sole focus is on Oregon’s move to the Big Ten next season and rounding out the recruiting class — which will be that much easier when he can say, “Alabama wanted me, and I turned them down.”
Dan Lanning’s Coaching Résumé
- Pittsburgh Panthers – Graduate Assistant (2011)
- Arizona State Sun Devils – Graduate Assistant (2012)
- Arizona State Sun Devils – Recruiting Coordinator (2013)
- Sam Houston State Bearkats – DBs Coach/Co-Recruiting Coordinator (2014)
- Alabama Crimson Tide – Graduate Assistant (2015)
- Memphis Tigers – ILBs Coach/Recruiting Coordinator (2010-2011)
- Georgia Bulldogs – OLBs Coach (2018)
- Georgia Bulldogs – Defensive Coordinator/OLBs Coach (2019-2021)
- Oregon Ducks – Head Coach (2022-2023)
- Alabama Crimson Tide – Head Coach (2024-present)
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