In a storyline that is gaining traction across the college football landscape, speculation has mounted that Alabama is once again looking to hire Oregoncoach Dan Lanning if they decide to part ways with Kalen DeBoer. Just a year into his tenure, DeBoer is facing immense pressure after a stunning season-opening loss to Florida State has left the Crimson Tide in disarray. Alabama's interest in Lanning is particularly significant, given that he turned down the Alabama job when it was last open in 2024.
Lanning, who guided Oregon to a 13-0 season and won the Big Ten in the Ducks' first year in the conference, would be a high-profile target for the Crimson Tide. His defensive-minded approach, proven success as a head coach, and experience as a graduate assistant under Nick Saban make him an ideal candidate to restore Alabama's stature as a college football powerhouse.
With DeBoer's job security in doubt, the university could once again pursue the coach they previously missed out on, hoping he might now trade his loyalty to Oregon for a chance to revive the storied Crimson Tide program.
Would Dan Lanning leave Oregon for Alabama?
If Alabama approaches the Oregon head coach, who has led the Ducks since 2022, it’s unclear whether he would accept the offer. He spent 2015 as a graduate assistant under Nick Saban at Alabama, a season that ended 11-1 with a College Football Playoff National Championship.
With his ties to Tuscaloosa and strong coaching pedigree, he would be an ideal fit for the Tide if they decide to move on from DeBoer.
Has Alabama tried to hire Dan Lanning before?
In 2024, when Alabama was pursuing Lanning, Oregon football famously posted a video of the head coach saying he's not going anywhere.
Dan Lanning says he’s not leaving Oregon to come to Alabama: pic.twitter.com/IXzJY7pNjU
— Sidelines - Bama (@SSN_Alabama) January 11, 2024
On the video, Lanning said "the grass isn't always greener. In fact, the grass is damn green in Eugene."
Will Alabama fire Kalen DeBoer
DeBoer is only in his second season in Tuscaloosa, but the pressure is ramping up, especially after No. 8 Alabama's loss to Florida State in Week 1.
As the Alabama head coach, DeBoer has already lost four unranked games — to Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, Michigan and the Seminoles — which is the same amount Nick Saban lost in his entire time with the Crimson Tide.
Through just 14 games at Alabama, Kalen DeBoer has matched the unranked loss total Nick Saban tallied over 235 games 📊 pic.twitter.com/SZtu2a7bXk
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 1, 2025
Alabama has lacked the same tenacity it showed under Saban, who won six national titles, and questions remain about whether DeBoer can return the program to the top.
DeBoer was hired in 2024 after leading Washington to a 15-1 season, with the lone loss coming in the National Championship to Michigan. He won the 2023 Pac-12 Championship, with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. finishing as a Heisman runner-up, and posted a 25-3 record over two seasons with the Huskies.
Dan Lanning career history
In his three full seasons as Oregon’s head coach, Lanning has led the Ducks to a remarkable 35-6 record, including a Big Ten championship in the program’s first year in the conference. Oregon’s lone loss came to eventual national champion Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.
Under Lanning, the Ducks have won both the Holiday Bowl and Fiesta Bowl and made the 2023 Pac-12 Championship game. Two of his quarterbacks, Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel, finished seasons as Heisman finalists.
While this is his first head coaching role, Lanning has achieved success at several other stops. He served as Georgia’s defensive coordinator from 2019–21, and in his final season, led the nation’s No. 1 scoring defense, allowing just 9.5 points per game. Georgia went on to win its first national championship since 1980.
Earlier in his career, Lanning held positions at Pittsburgh, Arizona State, Sam Houston State, Alabama, and Memphis. He worked as a graduate assistant under legendary coach Nick Saban and served as inside linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at Memphis under Mike Norvell, now Florida State’s head coach.
In 2025, Lanning won the Stallings Award, which honors coaches who, like former Alabama coach Gene Stallings, combine on-field success with a commitment to positively impacting the lives of others.