As the Oregon Ducks gear up for their Week 1 showdown with the Boise State Broncos in the 2026 season, there's plenty of action happening behind the scenes. Before they face the Broncos, the Ducks are locked in an intense internal battle, sharpening their skills against each other in countless snaps.
With a roster brimming with top-tier recruits, the players are constantly pushed to compete at the highest level. Meanwhile, the coaching staff is engaged in its own strategic chess match, particularly during spring practices, which culminate in an intra-squad spring game. It's a time when offensive and defensive coordinators go head-to-head, only to regroup and collaborate in staff meetings, unified by a common goal.
This dynamic gives offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer and defensive coordinator Chris Hampton a unique opportunity to gain insights into each other's strategies as spring practices commence. In a recent appearance on the Bleav in Oregon Podcast, Hampton praised Mehringer's early contributions as the OC, highlighting their collaborative experience over the years.
"He's doing tremendous, man," Hampton shared. "Drew's an extremely smart individual, knows the game inside and out.
I've had the opportunity to sit beside him each and every day in the staff meetings, and hear his thoughts on offensive and defensive football. The guy's brilliant, and he's working extremely hard.
He's got the offense extremely organized right now. He's doing a great job.
So I'm fired up to watch him go."
Hampton also touched on the competitive yet collegial nature of their relationship. While they haven't yet faced off on the field, the anticipation is building. He enjoys the back-and-forth with Mehringer, as they compare notes on their playbook installations.
"Drew's extremely organized," Hampton noted. "He's on top of it. He plans well in advance, which I like."
The expectations are sky-high for both coordinators. Under head coach Dan Lanning, previous coordinators like Kenny Dillingham, Will Stein, and Tosh Lupoi have moved on to head coaching roles. Despite the pressure, Hampton and Mehringer seem to be relishing the process, pushing each other to elevate the Ducks' program to new heights.