Dan Lanning, the head coach of the Oregon Ducks football team, needs no introduction. The 35th head coach of the Ducks was once a linebacker for the William Jewell Cardinals.
While his life has taken many U-turns in both his managerial and playing career, if there is one constant in his life, it is his wife, Sauphia Lanning.
But who is she? Let us give you an introduction to the better half of Lanning.
Sauphia Lanning: The Strongest Pillar Behind Coach Dan Lanning
Dan Lanning is famous in college football mainly due to his unwavering commitment to his teams. Over the years, coach Lanning has carved a remarkable path through the world of football, but it is not the managerial achievements that define the Oregon head coach. His biggest win in life is his wife, Sauphia.
Married since 2009, Sauphia has been the unwavering support that Dan has needed all his life. The pair’s journey together is a testament to their bond and strength, which helped them overcome adversity.
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If you told the pair that they would be happily married when they first met at Outback Steakhouse in Liberty, where Dan worked as a server, they might not believe you.
However, that meeting deepened over time, leading to their wedding in 2009 after dating for two years. The couple is blessed with three children: Cade, Kniles, and Titan.
These are the names that are tattooed on Lanning’s ribs, showcasing the importance of family in his life.
Sauphia was born in Kansas City in 1987. She attended North Kansas City High School and studied for a bachelor’s degree in advertising and public relations after graduation. While she was at Northwest Missouri State University from 2005 to 2009, she met Dan for the first time in the steakhouse (in her first year).
In his first campaign with Oregon, Dan led the Ducks to a 10-3 record, the third-best record in Oregon’s history. His leadership helped Oregon win back-to-back bowl games, making him the second coach in the program to have two bowl victories.
That being said, Dan is not the only winner in the family. Sauphia’s health journey was one of the biggest obstacles for the couple when she battled against osteosarcoma.
KEEP READING: Oregon Ducks Break NFL Draft Record Under Dan Lanning — Again
Having Dan beside her, Sauphia underwent grueling chemotherapy and won her battle against cancer in 2017 when she announced that she was cancer-free.
Sauphia, along with her children, designed uniforms that the Oregon Ducks have worn. These uniforms represent different forms of cancer. While she does not have a large social media presence, she often shares posts about her husband on X.
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