Ducks HC Dan Lanning sends strong warning to the Big Ten ahead of next NCAAF season

The undefeated NCAAF regular season run by the Oregon Ducks last year caught the attention of fans and analysts alike. It wasn’t just the level of play they showed week after week—it was also the context: Dan Lanning’s squad was making its first serious push against elite-level Big Ten competition.

Now with more experience and a full season under their belt, the team from Eugene is aiming to make another big statement—this time, with better luck in the Playoffs.

During a recent media session, the young but battle-tested head coach spoke about the new challenge ahead and made it clear that his team won’t back down—no matter how tough the competition may be.

“I get asked that question every year and for me it’s always the same,” Lanning said at Oregon Media Day. “What’s the best version of us? If we’re playing our best version of football… if we’re being the best we can possibly be then that’s something I’m excited about. The results kind of take care of themselves. What’s our goal? I mean we have high standards. We came [to the Big Ten] to win championships.”

Head coach Dan Lanning of the Oregon Ducks looks on during a timeout in the third quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 16, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin.

He also added: “Obviously we got an opportunity to taste that last year with the Big Ten Championship, but we want to win them all. Not just some of them. But, that’s also not football. That’s not very common because it’s hard to do. So, biggest goal is to be uncommon. That’s doing things other people can’t do and figuring out what we need to do to get there.”

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Staying relevant over the years

2022 was the year the Ducks decided to bet on youth and talent, handing the reins of the program in Eugene to Dan Lanning. The head coach did not disappoint—posting a 35-6 record and proving that age is just a number. His ability to develop players has been evident from the start.

“Well I think everything in football is about learning different ways to say the same thing over and over again,” Lanning said. “You’ve got to make sure it’s interesting and exciting for your team. Ultimately winning football is winning football and that’s been really consistent. What’s the new run scheme in the league that we haven’t seen? That’s what’s different.”

“What’s gonna change is ‘how are we gonna do it?’ So I think the goals are consistently the same,” he also added. “There are some of those goals that we have hit in the past and some that we haven’t. That tells you quickly that this is an area that we want to attack. This is something we’ve got to do better this season. Ultimately, a lot of it’s the same. The process of getting there may be a little bit different but the process in itself is also the same.”