"Should be fairly terrified": CFB insider warns Big Ten teams about Dan Lanning's Oregon for the 2024 season
Dan Lanning is one of the most talked-about coaches in the college football world right now. With a 12-2 record in 2023, Lanning will face the spotlight in the upcoming season as Oregon will compete in the Big Ten for the first time.
Dan Lanning has had a ton of coaching experience with programs like Arizona State, Memphis, Alabama and Georgia before he was appointed the Ducks coach.
When Nick Saban retired, Lanning was one of the top contenders to replace the long-serving Alabama coach. However, he clarified his intentions to stick with the Ducks and continue making his legacy further.
In an episode of his "Late Kick with Josh Pate," college football analyst and host Josh Pate weighed in on Oregon's winning momentum and how the Big Ten teams should watch out for the Dan Lanning-coached school.
"I think a lot of the Big Ten, if they're smart enough, should be fairly terrified with what Oregon's doing right now, but they don't want to be," Pate said. "The same thing that's happening to those foolish enough to think Dan landing all of two years in has taught you everything you need to know about he and Oregon will be as both a head coach and a program moving forward.
"So I am to believe that two years in since this dude has lost a couple of games to Washington, since he got boat-raced by Georgia in game one of year one as a head coach. That's it.
"We've learned everything we need to know you because the one thing we know about Nick Saban, for example, is he never lost early in his career. Well Nick Saban lost plenty. In fact, I'm getting word Nick Saban wasn't remotely what you know him for until years into his coaching career."
Dan Lanning's Oregon makes bold moves in recruitment for 2024
One of the biggest questions that Dan Lanning faced after the 2023 season with quarterback Bo Nix was: who's going to replace him?
Lanning has been making notable strides in recruitment as well as the transfer portal, and one of the key components in his potential success in the upcoming college football season will be former Oklahoma star, Dillon Gabriel.
In 2023, Gabriel scored 30 touchdowns and threw for 3,660 yards. He continued to show off his abilities during the 2024 spring game, scoring two touchdowns and completing 14 of 21 passes.
Dan Lanning has also landed some talent powerhouses like five-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore, four-star WR Perry Cooper and four-star tight end Da'Saahn Brame.
Fans would be intrigued to see how Dan Lanning's Oregon adjusts to its first year playing in the Big Ten and if the Ducks can secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.