Dan Lanning didn’t bite when asked about Kyle Whittingham’s shot at Oregon’s NIL muscle, but he made sure the message landed anyway.
The Michigan coach stirred the pot earlier this week by praising Lanning’s recruiting while also pointing to Oregon’s financial edge. Whittingham said Monday, “(Lanning) is an outstanding football coach, defensive-minded coach; that’s his background, but a tireless recruiter,” Whittingham said on Monday.
“He really does a great job recruiting. It doesn’t hurt that you have $50 million at your disposal to, in essence, to outbid everybody.
Not everybody, but a lot of people. But that’s not his fault.
That’s a credit. I mean, that’s a credit to their program and their dedication and desire to win and the support they have.”
Lanning was asked about it Wednesday and kept his response measured, even complimentary. Still, he didn’t miss the chance to note where Michigan’s money may be tied up.
“I’ve got nothing to say to coach Whit other than I think he’s an unbelievable coach," Lanning said. "I get it.
They’re spending more of their money right now on their coaches that they’re letting go, so maybe it makes it hard to sign players. But I know they’ve signed a couple of guys that we weren’t able to compete with what they decided to do, and maybe a lot of that money is tied up for them in another player.
I don’t know. But coach Whittingham is an unbelievable coach.
He’s a Hall of Fame coach. I’ve got nothing but respect for him.”
The backdrop makes the exchange even sharper. Oregon has stacked top-10 recruiting classes in each full season under Lanning and has landed top-5 classes in the past three cycles. The Ducks also have one of the most expensive rosters in the country this season, with many estimates putting it above $40 million.
Michigan, meanwhile, has its own donor base and a roster that exceeds $30 million, but the on-field picture has been ugly. The Wolverines have one of the worst offenses in the country, and after a stunning 15-6 home loss to Michigan State, they fired offensive coordinator Jason Beck. Whittingham has also drawn criticism for saying there are “no more trophy games” on the schedule.
Oregon’s season has gone in the opposite direction after a slow start and a string of injuries. The Ducks fired offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, then steadied themselves with ranked wins over Northwestern and Ohio State to push back into the playoff conversation.
One of the biggest names in the middle of this NIL conversation is quarterback Bryce Underwood, whom Michigan signed as a five-star recruit. Underwood is reportedly making more than $3 million this season, but he was benched a month ago and hasn’t played since, with Tommy Carr starting at quarterback.
Lanning and Whittingham know each other well from their Pac-12 days, when Whittingham was at Utah. The respect is there. So is the tension after Whittingham’s remarks about Oregon’s recruiting budget and the response they drew.
Oregon and Michigan will kick off at 12:30 p.m. PST from Autzen Stadium on Nov. 14.
In Other News...
Michigan Walks Into An Oregon Atmosphere Fans Already Hate
Autzen Stadium is getting a little extra theater for Oregons first meeting with Michigan since 2003, and the Ducks are leaning all the way into it. For the matchup, Oregon will break out a special Godzilla-themed uniform combination with black, silver and green jerseys, grey pants and a matte black helmet built around the movie monster motif.
The look is only part of the rollout. Oregon is also tying the game to its Ducks of a Feather NIL brand with related merchandise created in collaboration with Toho International, giving the weekend a full promotional package around one of the seasons most anticipated home dates. For a fan base that already treats Autzen as a weapon, the Ducks are clearly aiming to make the atmosphere feel as loud and as unmistakably Oregon as possible. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Could Be Closing In On Another Late Recruiting Flip
Oregon is heading into the Early Signing Period for the 2027 recruiting cycle with plenty of momentum, and the Ducks have managed to keep their class intact so far. That matters this time of year, when programs are trying to protect what they have while still leaving room for one more addition, and Oregon appears to be doing both as it continues to work the board.
One name to watch is Virginia Tech running back commit JP Jones-Priest, who is set for an official visit to Eugene. The 4-star recruit has put together a strong season and sits among the more highly regarded backs in the class, which is exactly the kind of player Oregon tends to keep in play late. Whether the Ducks can turn that visit into a real push remains the question, but the interest is clearly there. [Read more 🡒]
Oregons Playoff Push Just Took A Brutal Hit Before Michigan
Oregons playoff momentum has been building again after a pair of recent wins lifted both its record and its College Football Playoff standing, but the Ducks are heading into a crucial stretch with a major loss on the defensive front. Edge rusher Teitum Tuioti will miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury that requires surgery, a setback that cuts into one of the more disruptive parts of Oregons pass rush just as the schedule is tightening.
The timing is especially awkward with Michigan next on the slate, even as the Wolverines are dealing with their own turbulence after a loss and the firing of offensive coordinator Jason Beck. Interim offensive line coach Jim Harding has taken over play-calling duties, and head coach Kyle Whittingham is still weighing quarterback options for the games ahead, leaving Oregon to prepare for a matchup that suddenly looks very different on both sidelines. [Read more 🡒]