Jay Johnson has done enough in two games as Oregon’s interim play-caller to keep the conversation alive.
He helped spark the Ducks against Northwestern, and then delivered his biggest statement yet on Nov. 7 at Ohio State. Oregon put up 41 points and 395 total yards in the 41-28 upset of the No. 10 Buckeyes, giving Johnson a strong case to stay on Dan Lanning’s staff and potentially move into the offensive coordinator job full time.
But Johnson isn’t the only name in the mix anymore. The opening in Eugene is starting to draw a wider list of candidates, and one of the more intriguing options is now officially on the market.
That would be former Big 12 head coach Dana Holgorsen, who is set to be looking for work after Nebraska and Matt Rhule parted ways with him following the Cornhuskers’ 24-13 loss to Illinois on Nov. 6.
Holgorsen’s track record on offense is real. He has run units that finished first in the nation in passing, and he’s helped develop future NFL quarterbacks such as Case Keenum, Brandon Weeden and Geno Smith at Houston, Oklahoma State and West Virginia, respectively.
There’s also a possible Oregon connection worth watching. Holgorsen and quarterback Dylan Raiola were together in Lincoln before Raiola transferred, and multiple reports have indicated they maintained a positive relationship even after Raiola entered the portal. If Oregon were to hire Holgorsen, it could help persuade Raiola to stick around in Eugene, particularly once Dante Moore leaves for the 2027 NFL Draft.
Another splashier option would be to pull from Sean McVay’s staff with the Los Angeles Rams and bring Kliff Kingsbury back to the college level.
Kingsbury’s last stint as an offensive coordinator ended on a rough note with the Washington Commanders in 2025, but he was part of Jayden Daniels’ breakout rookie season in 2024 during that NFC title game run. He also has familiarity with the Big Ten and the West from previous stops at USC and with the Arizona Cardinals.
And for future quarterbacks, the selling point is obvious: Kingsbury coached a young Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech before Mahomes became a Super Bowl winner. He would still likely have other options, though.
One rising name in the Big 12 is Arizona offensive coordinator Seth Doege. The Wildcats are 29th overall on offense, and Doege has helped unlock quarterback Noah Fifita, who has thrown 50 touchdowns against 11 interceptions over Doege’s two seasons as OC. Wide receiver Isaiah Mizell has also posted career-best production under Doege with seven touchdowns in nine games.
Doege’s system blends a spread and Air Raid base with plenty of outside zone and counter runs, a mix that could appeal to Smith and Oregon’s young running backs. His coaching influences include Arizona coach Brent Brennan, Memphis coach Charles Huff and LSU coach Lane Kiffin, though Brennan may have a tough time holding onto him with Arizona sitting at 7-2 overall.
Chip Kelly’s return to Autzen Stadium on Halloween did not go well, and the last two weeks have only made his candidacy look shakier. Northwestern’s offense struggled in a 24-10 loss to No.
19 Iowa on Nov. 7, managing just 286 total yards. Kelly can still change the picture with a strong finish, but he has taken a hit.
Mitch Dahlen, meanwhile, looks like a name to cross off. Oregon State’s offense has sputtered even with breakout wideout Jesse Legree, and the Beavers have struggled in back-to-back games against Fresno State and Texas State. At this point, Dahlen appears to need another year in Corvallis.
Former Florida State coach Mike Norvell is still a name to keep on the radar as well, especially for programs looking for an offensive jolt. He remains worth monitoring because of his past coaching ties to Lanning.
In Other News...
Dan Lanning Just Got Fresh Bulletin-Board Material Before Oregons Biggest Test
With Oregon heading into one of its biggest tests, the chatter around Dan Lannings program has already spilled beyond the field. Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham used a radio appearance to talk about Oregons recruiting reach and the kind of NIL resources the Ducks can bring to bear, while also giving Lanning credit for the way he has built the roster.
It is familiar territory for Oregon, which has heard versions of this before from opposing coaches and has often turned those comments into fuel. Whether the Ducks need any extra motivation is one thing, but remarks like these tend to linger in the building, especially when a marquee matchup is right around the corner. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Just Lost Another Key Defender At The Worst Time
Oregons defense took another hit at a point in the season when every body matters. Linebacker Teitum Tuioti has been ruled out for the rest of the year after suffering a knee injury in a recent game, a blow head coach Dan Lanning confirmed after Tuioti was carted off the field. It is the kind of loss that changes how a defense is built on the fly, especially for a player who had become a steady presence in the middle of the unit.
Tuioti leaves behind a productive season that included 44 total tackles, 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble, production that helped give Oregon some edge and disruption from the linebacker spot. The Ducks now have to absorb the loss without one of their more reliable defenders, and the timing only adds to the challenge as they try to keep the defense intact down the stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Dakorien Moore Just Earned The Kind Of Praise Oregon Fans Notice
Dakorien Moore gave Oregon a moment worth replaying when he reached up for a one-handed touchdown catch against Ohio State at Ohio Stadium, a play that stood out even in a high-profile setting. It was the kind of grab that travels fast, and it quickly drew attention beyond the Ducks own sideline.
Dez Bryant, the Dallas Cowboys legend who had also been at Moores last high school game, praised the receiver publicly on social media after the performance. Moore acknowledged Bryants support and reflected on having him there in high school, a small but meaningful connection for a young player whose biggest moments are already starting to get noticed far beyond Eugene. [Read more 🡒]