The Oregon Ducks are staring down a pivotal offseason, and head coach Dan Lanning has some major decisions to make-especially on his coaching staff. With the college football coaching carousel already spinning fast, and even some NFL jobs opening up, the Ducks could be on the verge of some significant changes on both sides of the ball.
Let’s start with the offense. Will Stein, Oregon’s offensive coordinator, is one of the hottest names in college football right now.
His innovative, aggressive play-calling has turned heads across the country, and it’s no secret that he's a top candidate for head coaching gigs. Rumors are swirling about a potential move to Kentucky, and while nothing is official yet, the writing’s on the wall-Stein’s time in Eugene may be coming to a close.
If that happens, Oregon will need a proven mind to step in and keep the offensive engine humming. Enter Chip Kelly.
Yes, that Chip Kelly-the architect of Oregon’s rise to national prominence in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Kelly’s name is back in the conversation after being let go as the offensive coordinator of the Las Vegas Raiders midway through the 2025 NFL season. And while his recent stint in the pros didn’t pan out, his college résumé speaks for itself.
Kelly went 46-7 as Oregon’s head coach from 2009 to 2012, leading the Ducks to a Fiesta Bowl win, two Rose Bowl appearances (including a win in 2012), and a trip to the BCS National Championship Game. His up-tempo, spread offense revolutionized the college game, and his understanding of how to create mismatches and stress defenses is still relevant today.
What makes Kelly an intriguing candidate isn’t just nostalgia-it’s fit. His offensive philosophy isn’t far off from what Stein has built in Eugene.
Like Stein, Kelly loves to spread defenses out, use motion and misdirection, and attack vertically. During his recent run with Ohio State, Kelly helped guide the Buckeyes to a national title in 2024, with an offense that averaged 6.9 yards per play (fourth in the FBS), scored 35.7 points per game (tied for 12th nationally), and protected the football, averaging just one turnover per game.
That kind of efficiency and explosiveness is exactly what Oregon wants to maintain.
And let’s not forget-Kelly knows Eugene. He knows the expectations, the culture, and what it takes to win at a high level in the Pacific Northwest. Bringing him back as Lanning’s offensive coordinator could provide continuity, experience, and a familiar voice in the building at a time when the Ducks are pushing for national titles.
There’s also a potential bonus here: quarterback Dante Moore. The redshirt sophomore has a decision to make after the season-return to Oregon or enter the NFL Draft.
If he does come back, Kelly’s presence could be a significant asset. The two worked together at UCLA during the 2023 season, so there’s already a foundation of trust and understanding.
Kelly knows Moore’s strengths and how to tailor an offense around them. That kind of continuity could be huge for Oregon’s 2026 campaign.
On the defensive side, there could be changes coming as well. Tosh Lupoi, Oregon’s current defensive coordinator, is reportedly in the mix for the head coaching job at Cal-his alma mater. Lupoi played defensive line for the Golden Bears from 2000 to 2005 and later coached there, so the connection makes sense.
If Lupoi departs, Oregon might look to another familiar face to fill the void: Justin Wilcox. The former Ducks defensive back (1996-99) was recently let go as Cal’s head coach after leading the program from 2017 to 2025.
Wilcox is a respected defensive mind with deep ties to the Oregon program and the city of Eugene. A return to his roots as defensive coordinator would be a natural fit and could help maintain the Ducks’ identity on that side of the ball.
Bottom line: Oregon’s coaching staff could look very different in 2026. But if the chips fall a certain way, the Ducks have a chance to bring in two experienced, battle-tested leaders who understand the program, the community, and the stakes.
Chip Kelly and Justin Wilcox back in Eugene? That’s not just a reunion-it could be the next evolution of Oregon football.