Oregon Promotes Chris Hampton and Drew Mehringer to Coordinators After Playoff Run
After a 13-2 season that ended in the College Football Playoff semifinals, Oregon is keeping things in-house as it looks to build on that momentum. The Ducks have promoted Chris Hampton to defensive coordinator and Drew Mehringer to offensive coordinator, rewarding two assistants who’ve played key roles in the program’s rise under head coach Dan Lanning.
The moves come after the departures of Tosh Lupoi and Will Stein, both of whom took head coaching jobs - Lupoi at Cal and Stein at Kentucky. Importantly, both stayed on through the postseason, helping Oregon close out its impressive campaign before heading to their new sidelines.
Now, it’s Hampton and Mehringer’s turn to take the reins - and both come into their new roles with plenty of familiarity and trust already built within the program.
Chris Hampton: A Steady Hand for a Rising Defense
Hampton is entering his third season in Eugene, where he previously served as co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach. His fingerprints have been all over Oregon’s defensive resurgence. Since his arrival in 2023, the Ducks have ranked among the nation’s elite on that side of the ball - seventh in scoring defense at 17.9 points per game and eighth in passing defense.
And the 2025 season? That was Hampton’s unit at its sharpest. Oregon led the nation in pass breakups and ranked fourth in passing yards allowed - a testament to both scheme and execution in the secondary.
"I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to be the defensive coordinator at the University of Oregon," Hampton said. "This program is built on great players and more importantly great people. I'm excited to go to work with our guys every day and compete for championships."
That last part - “compete for championships” - isn’t just coachspeak. With the way Oregon’s defense has performed under Hampton’s guidance, he’s earned the trust to lead a unit that’s expected to contend every year.
Drew Mehringer: The Architect Behind Oregon’s Offensive Fireworks
On the other side of the ball, Mehringer steps into the offensive coordinator role after serving as co-OC and tight ends coach since Lanning’s arrival in 2022. His offensive résumé is already impressive - in 2016, he became the youngest offensive coordinator in a Power Five conference while at Rutgers.
At Oregon, he’s helped build one of the most explosive offenses in college football. Since 2022, the Ducks have averaged 38.7 points per game. In 2025, they ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring - a clear sign that this offense isn’t just fast-paced, it’s ruthlessly efficient.
"I am very excited about the opportunity to serve as Oregon's next offensive coordinator,” Mehringer said. "I look forward to continuing to build on what we have accomplished over the last four seasons. The plan is to continue to have one of the most dynamic offenses in college football utilizing the strong connection we have built."
That continuity - both in scheme and in relationships - is a big part of why this promotion makes sense. Mehringer knows the personnel, understands the system, and has already proven he can help put points on the board in bunches.
Lanning’s Vision: Stability with an Edge
Head coach Dan Lanning made it clear that these promotions weren’t just about familiarity - they were about performance.
"Chris and Drew have been tremendous coaches and leaders since joining our program and are more than deserving of taking these next steps in their careers," Lanning said. "They have each done an unbelievable job of helping our student-athletes excel both on and off the field."
That blend of leadership and results has become a hallmark of Lanning’s tenure. Oregon isn’t just winning games - it’s developing talent, on the roster and on the coaching staff.
With Hampton and Mehringer stepping into coordinator roles, the Ducks aren’t hitting reset. They’re doubling down on what’s worked - and betting that the same voices who helped elevate the program will now take it even further.
Championship expectations aren’t going anywhere in Eugene. And with these two promotions, Oregon is signaling that it’s ready to keep pushing forward - with coaches who already know what it takes to win at the highest level.