Dan Lanning began his Saturday before sunrise, appearing on ESPN’s “College GameDay” from the Oregon campus and making clear why he has no plans to entertain job offers.
While other high-profile coaches shuffle decisions that could impact their teams’ postseason fates, Lanning didn’t hesitate when asked why he stays put.
“Because the grass is damn green, Pat,” Lanning told co-host Pat McAfee, drawing cheers from the crowd. Rece Davis quickly added, “What he said some people find so difficult to say."
Lanning’s situation stands in stark contrast. His name was once a fixture on coaching hot boards, yet hasn’t surfaced amid this year’s carousel largely because he continues to stress that he is not interested.
After No. 5 Oregon’s 42-27 win over USC, Lanning explained why the speculation has finally cooled. “People realize at this point that I’m not interested in being anywhere else,” he said via On3. “As long as I win, I get the opportunity to be here. That’s on me.”
Oregon’s dominant performance Saturday shows what Lanning has brought to Eugene. And after losing Willie Taggart and Mario Cristobal to other opportunities, Oregon appears to have shed its old label as a stepping-stone job.
“What I can speak to is that my situation is so good that I feel really comfortable saying that,” Lanning said. “I love this place… Somebody gave me this opportunity. Not everybody gets that.”
Whether the NFL ever tempts him remains unknown. But for now, Lanning says his focus is singular, which is to chase a national title.
“That probably tells you how special Oregon is,” he said. “What a privilege it is to coach here. I want to be able to see it through.”
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