Josh Pate believes Oregon head coach Dan Lanning has built something so strong in Eugene that leaving simply doesn’t make sense.
With the Ducks currently sitting at No. 2 in the nation, Lanning’s combination of recruiting dominance, transfer portal mastery, and unmatched financial backing has made Oregon one of the most stable and attractive programs in the country.
According to Pate, Lanning’s situation is far more secure than most realize, and even a massive buyout couldn’t begin to describe the advantages he enjoys.
Pate explained why he’s convinced Lanning isn’t going anywhere on The Colin Cowherd Podcast for The Volume.
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Dan Lanning’s Oregon setup too good to walk away from
Pate told Cowherd that the numbers alone show why Lanning’s future is locked in at Oregon.
“We talk about buyouts all the time, and typically you’re talking about, oh, it’s going to cost 8 million, 10 million, 12 million,” Pate said. “When you really understand Dan Lanning’s life there, you’re talking about a 40 to $50 million buyout. No one’s willing to do that, nor should they.”
He added that even without the massive financial cushion, Oregon’s infrastructure makes it a coach’s dream.
“When you go up there right now, you sit in his office, you look out. It’s cranes everywhere. It’s earth moving everywhere, because they’re overhauling it again. So this time next year, they’ll be ahead of the pack again on that front.”
Lanning’s record supports the claim. In just over three seasons, he’s 40-6 with a Big Ten championship and the No. 1 seed in last year’s College Football Playoff. Pate credited the program’s recruiting strategy and player evaluation as key reasons behind Oregon’s rise.
Pate pointed to Nebraska as an example of the opposite approach, saying,
“Nebraska spent over a million dollars on a right tackle that hasn’t seen the field, so you got to be able to evaluate as well.”
Oregon’s portal success has been undeniable. Pate noted the Ducks brought in 11 transfers this season, with 10 playing major roles.
That includes three starting offensive linemen and several defensive backs. The only minor miss, he said, was running back Makai Hughes, who still provides valuable depth.
For Pate, the conclusion is simple: Oregon gives Lanning everything he needs.
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