The Oregon Ducks are only a few days removed from parting ways with offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, and the search for his replacement is already taking shape.
Dan Lanning and his staff still have a game to worry about this weekend against Northwestern, but the coaching carousel does not wait. Lanning made that clear earlier this week when he said, "I don't think that an announcement is going to happen right around the corner," and added, "To think that you're not always preparing for moments like that, I think would be wrong too."
That reality has not stopped fans from throwing out names, and plenty of guesses are already flying around. Some of them may end up hitting the mark, but if Oregon’s recent hiring history is any guide, the eventual answer could come from a name that is not dominating the conversation right now. Lanning has previously gone with less obvious options such as Kenny Dillingham and Will Stein, so a surprise would not be out of character.
The job should still carry plenty of appeal. Oregon has the talent and resources to make this one of the most attractive offensive coordinator openings in college football, and after digging deeper and talking to people in the know, the Ducks’ candidate list has been reshuffled.
At the top of that group is Mike Norvell, the Florida State head coach. He has familiarity with Lanning, who worked under him at Memphis in 2016, and that connection makes him a name worth tracking if his situation at Florida State changes before the season ends. There are fair questions about quarterback development, but among a pool of coaches interested in the job, Norvell would be difficult to top.
Rob Ezell is another possibility, though he comes with a much lower profile. The 37-year-old Wake Forest OC has produced at South Alabama and now at Wake Forest under Jake Dickert, where the Demon Deacons rank No. 9 in scoring offense at 37.4 points per game and No. 17 in total offense at 445.9 yards per game. He also comes from the Nick Saban coaching tree, having played at Alabama and then worked there as a graduate assistant and offensive assistant.
Chip Kelly is the name most fans are going to circle first. The former Oregon coach has built a strong offensive resume since leaving Eugene, including a national championship as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator.
He is also a major reason for Northwestern’s turnaround this season in Chicago. The fit is obvious on paper, but there are plenty of questions to sort through: whether Kelly would want the move, whether Oregon would want him back after any lingering bad blood from his departure, whether he would accept a role under Lanning, and whether Lanning would be willing to give up some control.
Another head coach worth mentioning is Neal Brown, now in his first season at North Texas after replacing Eric Morris, who left for Oklahoma State. Brown has spent time as a head coach at West Virginia and Troy, and the Mean Green are putting up huge numbers under him, ranking No. 3 nationally in total offense at 505 yards per game and No. 4 in scoring at 39.8 points per game. He may be a tough get, but he belongs on the board.
Kevin Decker is a newer name in the mix. He was not on the original list, but he has come up as someone who could fit in Eugene. Decker is in his first year at Memphis and has not worked at the Power 4 level, yet the Tigers’ offense has been excellent in 2026, sitting No. 5 in total offense and No. 18 in scoring offense while averaging 34.9 points and 500 yards per game.
For a more experienced option, Rob Likens checks plenty of boxes. The 59-year-old SMU co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach has coached across the country and has been an offensive coordinator at Kansas, Arizona State, and now SMU. Rhett Lashlee handles the play-calling for the Mustangs, while Likens has helped develop receivers, including Rashee Rice, who became a 2nd-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Slade Nagle may be the name that sits in the middle of all this. The Houston offensive coordinator has spent years working with Willie Fritz at Tulane and Houston, and he has been a key part of the Cougars’ offensive jump over the past year. A former quarterback with experience developing players at the position, Nagle could also be the more realistic under-the-radar option if Oregon wants to move quickly without chasing the flashiest name on the board.
In Other News...
Oregon's Offense Just Got Needed Help As Bigger Absences Loom
Oregons passing game is getting a timely boost as it heads into the Northwestern matchup, with three wide receivers who sat out the Illinois game expected back in the mix. Evan Stewart, Jalen Lott and Messiah Hampton should all be available, which gives the Ducks a little more room to work after a stretch where the offense has had to absorb more than its share of absences.
The return help comes with plenty still unsettled, though. Jeremiah McClellan remains sidelined by a foot injury, Dante Moore is not expected to play again this season after suffering a concussion, and the offensive line remains shorthanded with Dave Iuli and Matthew Johnson out indefinitely following surgeries. Freshman Immanuel Iheanacho is questionable, though he is expected to be available, leaving Oregon to piece together its protection and skill group as it tries to stabilize the offense. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon May Finally Be Getting Needed Offensive Help Back
Oregon has spent most of the season patching together its offense through injuries, and the latest practice news offers a much-needed lift. The Ducks have already taken major hits with Dante Moore out for the year, while Dave Iuli and Matthew Johnson both underwent surgeries, leaving the group thinner than anyone would have expected this early in the schedule.
Now the receiver room is starting to trend in a better direction, with Evan Stewart, Jalen Lott and Messiah Hampton all returning to practice ahead of the Northwestern game. For an offense that has been forced to manage around so many absences, getting that kind of depth back could matter quickly, especially with a road test looming and Northwestern also getting some of its own injury help in tight end Luke Dehnicke. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Unveils A Rare Halloween Look At A Crucial Time
Oregon is leaning into the Halloween mood for its night game against Northwestern at Autzen Stadium, unveiling a black-and-white combination from the Generation O collection. The look includes a black matte helmet with white wings, a sharp contrast that gives the Ducks another one of their trademark fashion-forward national TV moments while still fitting the spooky setting.
What makes this set stand out is the history attached to it. Oregon has never before paired a black jersey with white pants, and the white wings on a black helmet are a first for the program as well. As with so many of the Ducks signature looks, the design came through a collaboration involving Nike, designers, Oregon football staff and athletes, adding another layer to a uniform reveal that arrives at an important point in the season. [Read more 🡒]