Dan Lanning is heading into his fifth season at Oregon, and while he doesn’t turn 40 until April, he’s already built a résumé that puts him in rare company. He’s 48-8 overall, with a 47-1 record against everyone not named Curt Cignetti, Kalen DeBoer, Kirby Smart, or Ryan Day. And yes, that includes a 2-0 mark against Michigan’s new head coach, Kyle Whittingham.
But that one loss outside that elite circle? That’s the one that stings a little less when you consider the full picture - because Lanning has Oregon operating at a level few programs can match.
He’s 6-6 against Top Ten opponents, and while the Ducks haven’t yet climbed the final mountain, they’re consistently in the hunt. And that’s no small feat in today’s college football landscape.
Let’s be honest: winning a national championship in this era is a gauntlet. It’s not just about having talent - it’s about staying healthy, peaking at the right time, and navigating a postseason that now demands three straight wins over elite competition.
That’s not even accounting for the chaos of December: early signing day, the transfer portal, NFL draft decisions, coaching turnover, and oh yeah - final exams. It’s a perfect storm, and it’s only getting more intense.
Lanning and the Ducks have been right there. In 2024, they reached the quarterfinals.
This past season, they won two playoff games before running into a buzzsaw in Indiana. The Hoosiers, under Curt Cignetti, dominated the Peach Bowl from the opening whistle, racing out to a 35-7 halftime lead and cruising to a 56-22 win.
For Oregon, it was a second straight season ending in a lopsided loss after a strong campaign - a bitter pill for a program that’s been on the doorstep.
Cignetti, for his part, has made player freshness and injury prevention a cornerstone of his approach. And in 2026, it paid off in a big way.
But injuries are part of the game - they happen in the weight room, in practice, even in a pickup game in the offseason. There’s no perfect formula, but Cignetti’s success has certainly sparked conversation.
Still, one title doesn’t make the road to the championship run through Indiana. The field remains stacked.
Oregon, Notre Dame, LSU, Texas, Texas Tech, Ohio State, Miami - they’re all coming. And no one’s backing down.
Look at what Lanning has done over the last three years: 12-2, 13-1 with a Big Ten title, and 13-2 with two playoff wins. That’s elite-level production.
And in 2026, he brings back what might be his best squad yet - a veteran quarterback, a loaded receiver room, two top-tier running backs, and a defense returning eight of eleven starters. Add in a retooled secondary and a defensive line that can get after the quarterback, and you’ve got a team built to contend.
Of course, being the favorite comes with its own challenges. Oregon fans know the weight of expectations - and sometimes, they’d rather fly under the radar.
But that’s not how this works anymore. The Ducks are squarely in the national spotlight, and they’re not sneaking up on anyone.
Lanning knows it, too. As winter workouts began, he laid down a challenge to his team: “What do we got to fight?
We can’t be complacent, right? We’re not going to get there just because we have no one on our chest.
We got to do some work.”
That’s the mindset of a coach who understands the grind. It’s not about what you’ve done - it’s about what you’re willing to do next. And Lanning is focused on growth, development, and building habits that match the lofty goals this team has set.
The infrastructure is there. Oregon has the resources, the recruiting momentum, and a coaching staff that knows how to win. Lanning has shown he can identify and develop talent, build depth, and keep his team in the national conversation year after year.
Now, it’s about timing. About seizing the moment.
Cignetti won his first national title at 64. Saban needed 13 years.
Kirby Smart broke through in year six. This is year five for Lanning - and it just might be his best shot yet.
Yes, there are questions to answer. The linebacker unit needs to take a step forward.
The offensive line rotation has to be solidified. But the Ducks have addressed needs through three straight Top Five recruiting classes and key portal additions like Iverson Hooks and Koi Perich.
This roster is deep, talented, and experienced. And with Lanning at the helm, Oregon isn’t just hoping to compete. They’re expecting to.