Dan Lanning UNFILTERED: Oregon's Rise, Bo Nix Resurgence, Big 10 Move & Championship Hopes
Oct 6, 2023
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Dan Lanning, head coach of Oregon Football, shares his remarkable journey from graduate assistant to national prominence. He discusses Oregon's surprising rise in 2023 and Bo Nix's resurgence after transferring from Auburn. Lanning explains the significance of Oregon's move to the Big Ten and the dynamics of recruiting in today's college football landscape, including the impact of the NIL and transfer portal. He also reflects on the qualities that make great coaches, emphasizing resilience and adaptability in a competitive environment.
Dan Lanning's coaching journey emphasizes the importance of hard work and a commitment to excellence at every level.
Establishing a strong team culture that fosters connection and personal growth is essential for both athletic success and player development.
Navigating the evolving landscape of college football requires a dual approach to recruiting, balancing immediate impact with long-term development.
Deep dives
The Excitement of Becoming Head Coach
Getting the call to become a head coach at 35 years old was a moment filled with excitement and reflection. It represented not only a significant career milestone but also an opportunity to lead a top 10 team, something the coach had long aspired to achieve. The journey to this position was marked by hard work and dedication at every role the coach had held, emphasizing the importance of competing and excelling in each position. This foundation of striving for excellence set the stage for his vision and leadership at Oregon, a program known for its innovation and competitive spirit.
Emphasizing Consistency and Improvement
The coach stresses the importance of finishing strong in games, particularly in the fourth quarter, as a critical area for the team's improvement. Reflections from the previous season highlighted games that were tightly contested, leading to a focus on consistency and execution when it mattered most. The concept of a '20-mile march' was introduced, symbolizing the need for steady progress rather than overwhelming ambition each day. The commitment to incremental growth is seen as vital on the journey toward achieving the ultimate goal of a national championship.
The Role of Culture and Connection
Establishing a positive team culture is paramount, with the coach identifying key DNA traits that define the program: connection, growth, toughness, and sacrifice. Building relationships among players is crucial—each player regularly interacts outside of football in various activities to foster camaraderie and trust. The challenge of integrating new players through the transfer portal highlights the importance of nurturing a strong culture that transcends beyond the field. This approach showcases a commitment not just to athletic success but also to personal development and meaningful connections among teammates.
Adapting to Modern College Football
The landscape of college football is constantly evolving, especially with the introduction of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) rights and the transfer portal that have altered recruiting dynamics. The coach acknowledges the necessity of balancing team development with the immediate need for impactful players, suggesting that a dual approach is essential. By continually assessing the fit of both emerging talent and established players, the program aims to enhance its competitive edge. This flexible yet focused strategy positions the team to thrive amidst external pressures while maintaining a foundational commitment to developing players holistically.
Learning from Adversity and Leadership
The coach reflects on critical moments of adversity throughout his journey, including personal challenges that reshaped his perspective on coaching and family priorities. Such experiences taught the importance of resilience and not letting setbacks define one's career trajectory. The lessons learned were instrumental in fostering a leadership style that prioritizes relationship-building and emotional intelligence within the team. Ultimately, aiming to leave a lasting legacy goes beyond professional accolades—it encompasses impacting players' lives positively, shaping them into both great athletes and individuals.
Oregon Football's Dan Lanning joins Adam Breneman on today's new episode of Next Up to tell his story - unfiltered. From the beginnings of his coaching journey as a graduate assistant to becoming Oregon Football's head coach and putting the program back on the national stage. Coach Lanning also discusses Oregon's unlikely rise in 2023, Bo Nix's resurgence after transferring from Auburn, Oregon's move to the Big 10, and more...
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Next Up is hosted by Adam Breneman and is presented by the Mercury Podcast Network. On Next Up, Adam Breneman sits down with the biggest names in sports and lets them tell their stories, unfiltered. Adam is a former All-American and Penn State alum, media personality, college football analyst for ESPN, and co-founder of Mercury (@TheCollegeSportsCo).
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
04:52 - Catching Up
07:07 - Becoming Oregon’s HC & Coaching Journey
23:53 - Family
25:39 - Oregon’s Culture
29:25 - Coaching Mentors
32:31 - Bo Nix
33:33 - Big 10 Move
35:32 - Nike Partnership
36:33 - Transfer Portal & NIL
39:07 - Future of College Football
39:53 - Recruiting
42:23 - Season Outlook
43:31 - Evaluating Staff
44:41 - Interviewing w/ Nick Saban & Kirby Smart
45:42 - Overcoming Adversity
48:26 - Path to a Championship & Best Piece of Advice
50:47 - Lanning’s Why
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