HappyToBeADuck

Darren, that article sums it all up. Nice breakdown. Those previous players were loyal to a fellow Duck and the nostalgia of a wonderful past. Like going home for the holidays. Fond memories, the safety of family. (Well most families) The steps to win a Natty are not safe. High stake gambles with more risk than rewards. No fond family memories because the National Championship has not yet been ours to bring home. Sure Coach Lanning is a risk. You want a Natty, you take risks. As for Coach leaving. It's part of the business. If Coach Lanning is offered a job as HC at Bama, Georgia, Ohio State ? Well maybe its because the Ducks beat them on the field in the Natty. Excited that we took that risk.

Charles, as I listened to Coach Lanning speak at his introductory press conference, I was very energized and excited for the future of Duck football. When the media started asking questions I was certain the first question would be about his plans to improve the scoring by the offense. Especially when Coach mentioned explosion plays in his talk. Considering that all those media members had written articles or discussed on the radio shows how lacking the Duck offense was. Lack of scoring was a big topic, all season long. Why cover the sport if you won't ask the questions that are pertinent. The media and fans alike suffered thru the offense not being able to get first downs or score to close out games. Coach Lanning would have answered any question that addressed the elephant in the room.

Nice article to start the day with. Just too good of an athlete to play for the little puppies. Would love to see that big youngster in any of Oregons many uniforms.

No matter how good Coach Lanning's defense gets the Oregon offense must improve. It must.... Even the best 2021 defense (Georgia) got blown away by Bama's offense. Utah demolished our offense, twice...... goodness, twice! Where did the offense go? 30 points a game plus couldn't muster 10 points in either game. Even if the Oregon D had played great and held Utah to 10 points, we still lose. Still turns my stomach. I am excited for the future of the Oregon defense. But the talent on this offense needs an injection of energy with heavy doses of coaching. The Oregon offense should outscore 10 of our opponents in 2022. The other 2 games the defense needs to save the day. Go Ducks.

My instincts tell me a 10 win season is possible, next year. A great deal will depend on which current players stay or transfer. How the 2022 class finishes and the use of the portal. Most importantly as Coach and staff build trust with the players, will the players buy in? 9 or 10 wins probably was the ceiling next year with MC. MC couldn't get out of his own way on game day. Let's see what Coach Lanning and staff do on game day.

All good comments and points well made. Staying thru the playoffs shows our current players, future players and us fans that Coavh Lanning will finish what he starts. That speaks to his character and oozes substance. He probably won't abandon ship. MC and some of his merry men abandoned the ship for their own best interests. MC moved fast to keep HIS Oregon recruits on board for Miami. Please, anyone explain to me that he didn't..... Please Do we think Coach Lanning is currently calling his Georgia recruits to come to Oregon? While stilling coaching st Georgia? We will find out soon enough. Some players may follow DL thru the portal and a few recruits to Georgia may hold off on early signing day. But for certain DL didn't have any time to preplan like the 3 weeks MC did. Let's go Coach Lanning.......

Time will tell on these 2 hires. In comparison. LR took over a well established offensive machine. He did not build that program. He maintained its excellence. LR did not build any type of defense while at OU. Can he build one at USC? Coach Lanning built the Bulldog defense into a powerhouse. Can he do the same at Oregon? Coach Lanning has work to do with the Oregon offense. His choice of OC will be telling if he wants to keep the Ducks on top. The play on the field will give us all the answers on these 2 young coaches.

Charles your analysis sums my feelings up, spot on. Except on PR. I agree with Axel. MC came across as a phony, very early on. He promised exciting football, preached fast paced and high scoring games. IMHO, he did not deliver. Charles, your own articles, repeatedly questioned and called for changes to the offensive game plan. 45 points per game........ Yet, with few exceptions, that threshold was not met. Then we had to listen 🎶 to MC sing the same tune. If PR is selling offensive excuses then Mario was exceptional. When it came to the offense, game management, defense and PR, well MC ?????? Maybe FIU fired MC for a reason? Coach Lanning and his staff will have their learning curve, growing pains and ups and downs. I just hope when Coach Lanning and his staff speak they Say what they mean, then mean what they say....... Personally I hope the new coach is also an upgrade in the category of coach speak.

Welcome to Oregon Coach Lanning and family. Nothing but the best wishes, in all things, for you and your beautiful family. Win or lose, you will find that this fan base will support you. Unlike other fan bases in the PAC the Duck fans have SEC like passion. You will find that out at your first home game. Autzen rocks on game day. The foundation is laid with the current players. Looking forward to your 2022 recruiting class and great use of the portal. Excited about the staff you will build and game day coaching skills. Coach Lanning the previous coaches from Coach Brooks thru Coach Cristobal have driven the Duck football program right to the gates of the football promise land. The keys to the Ferrari are in your hands. Since the 2014 season she's been in the middle lane doing 65. Give her a tune up, beef up the suspension and increase the horse power. Time to turn her loose.

I look at how my business has played out the last 10 years with hiring ...... Not one single retread or experienced industry person panned out, not one of them out of a near dozen. Their past track record warranted the chance we gave them. But what they were before the hire was what they were after. Average, mediocre at best. However 5 new hires out of 9 who only had basic sales skills have helped drive sales up over 400% the last five years. The other 4 used us as a stepping stone. Good for them. They were all young, aggressive, adding our knowledge and training to their skill set. Lanning and his new staff have been cutting their teeth, in the trenches just like Chip, Justin and any other candidate interviewed. They have been taught by mentors while learning on the job. Just like Chip, Justin, David Shaw and MC were. It's DL's turn under the microscope. It's how it works, I think.

Once DL gets thru the early signing period it won't be that difficult to be a part of Georgia's playoff run. He will or should be on the possible recruits and just as important settle the current roster, all this week. Bowl and playoff teams are allowed only so many practices in the next three weeks. Kirby Smart did it........ He already knows and is calling the coaches he wants on staff. RM should and could be helping with contacts for those coaches who accept the offer. After the Natty, DL can fill in the spots thru the portal. Then start organizing the staff for spring practice. Looking forward to his introductory press conference. Have a great week coach. Go Ducks......

I seriously doubt DL will bring in an OC that runs a boring offense, especially the pistol. With the money available for this hire, DL can get the best. Also, consider the type of football played in the south. Now consider our new HC had to game plan against those OC's and their game plan. He knows the haves and the have nots. He knows, from his journey, who he wants. Patience.............

I would rather have Lanning..... If PK is fully behind this new hire then the checkbook will be wide open for the best OC and DC. Riley will recruit, coach and build a 40 plus point per game offense at USC. Riley could not and may not build a defense at USC. As we saw at OU. Lanning has, can and will build a SEC type defense at Oregon. Now we need the proven OC who wants that 45 plus point game. Every game. Within 2 years both Oregon and USC should dominate the PAC and hold top 10 rankings. Both schools can make the CFP every year in the same year. Huskies can simply watch....... Lanning has all the potential to counter the Riley hire. Gonna be a fun journey to follow

1Ducker1 Patience appears to be in short supply these days. Especially in the sports world. Your question is valid and I guess only time will tell. Once we are presented the terms and money of his contract, then we can see if RM and PK made Oregon a destination job. What they pay the OC and DC will be telling also. IMHO...... Great day to be a Duck.

Want to attract top talent? Pay top dollar...... If PK is committed to this hire then he and other boosters can put this hire in the $2 million plus a year range. That gives most all current OC candidates a hefty pay raise. Don't settle on this hire. Go after a proven OC who's game plan lights up the scoreboard. This team has top level talent on the O side of the ball. Coach it up...... High scoring offenses attract talent.

I am feeling confident that Phil an Penny will pay top dollar for the OC that DL wants. The Oregon OC position will offer most talent a 7 figure pay raise. High profile exposure that can lead to a Head coaching position. Let's get the best.......

David, on this very cold December morning, the thought of beating the arrogant huskies 54-0 warmed this greybeards heart. It just feels good to type it. Given time DL brings the chops and scheme to put up goose eggs on the score board. As you point out we need that homeowners OC hire. After all we owe the dogs a 70 plus point beating.

This game, though scheduled years in advance, is timed perfect for our new HC. Consider that our new head coach is a top recruiter in the south. The SEC south....... Think of the 2023 recruits DL and his staff (gotta believe a few of his new staff will be from the same foot print) will have on the sidelines. It's an affordable game for top prospects and their parents to attend. Especially from the south. Maybe we win, maybe we lose. But once again the Ducks will be the national game with Georgia. I have heard that Georgia loses the majority of this year's defense to the NFL. Our young battle tested defense will not be intimidated in that game. Plus they may be even better coach. It's the kind of game that will continue to give Oregon the big stage exposure. Keep winning and the home and home games will come.

With Coach DL's track record the defensive recruits and parents should listen. This is the DC who really put Georgia's D at the top of the SEC. Coach, go get that OC. Use Oregons brand, it's world class facilities and Phil and Penny's amazing support to land the best OC around. Oregon is a place that magic happens. Lightning can strike again.

1FunDuck...... Well stated, well thought out and thanks for the post. Ditto, ditto and more ditto. The Trojans football teams dominated the PAC most of the first decade of the 21st century. The Ducks, Stanford and theNorthern outlier took most of the 2nd decade. This hire has the possibility for Oregon to dominate, not just in the PAC, but catapult the Ducks into the highest level. Let the 3rd decade be Oregons.....

First good night's sleep since the night before the first Utah debacle.. Like all new and different situations one of the 2 twins of view point, optimism and pessimism, will shape our perspective. I am confident this awesome forum will be filled with both. Based upon the posts, seen already since DL was hired, the debate will be a hot topic. Personally, optimism dominates my view point. Why? It will help me enjoy this new ride. Just like that new car test drive, I am willing to take that beautiful baby for a spin. See how the vehicle sounds, feels, handles and performs. The Dan Lanning test drive is about to begin. Can't wait to see how he performs........ So many options available.. *Can he save the 2022 class *Can he win over the players *Does he hire a quality staff *Will he open up the offense *Can he recruit in SEC country Texas and California *Can he win games, easy games the big games, title games, CFP and the Natty. RM, PK any and all the decision makers believe he can. So do I. Let the test drive begin Monday. We all get to see and hear how DL, handles.

Going to be fun watching this new chapter of the Oregon football story unfold.. IMHO, as a greybeard it is easier to be patient with the common learning curve of new young coaches. For the younger forum members the tremendous success in the 21st century is all they know. The standard is set higher thus fan expectations are thru the roof. I may have missed a few high notes but prior to the season of the KW interception this program was dismal, lean and without much hope. Simply disappointing. The Independance Bowl was almost unobtainable. Not anymore..... Congrats to our new coach. Lay the foundation for your vision. We all hope your vision brings Penny, Phil and us fans that first Natty. Looking forward to some SEC type football success.

This hire has all the makings of a step up...... Yes.. The high flying, high scoring SEC teams barely put up a whimper against Lannings defense. Better players, probably. Coached up better, probably. Now that probably is the HC of the Oregon Ducks. I can tell all of you from listening to Seattle's sports talk and my little puppy friends that they were gloating over Oregons demise.. Smiles and smirks no more...... See you on the field next fall.

Good, bad or indifferent we are all going to find out. Can't wait...... Lanning comes from a line of head coaches who let their coaches do their job. That's a step up. The talent on this team, the talent from the recruits and portal lend to continued on field success. Great leadership from coaches can tie it all together. GO DUCKS........

Congratulations to the new Duck Head Coach. Very exciting. New start, fresh beginnings. You have some seasoned youngsters that need to be coached up to the next level. Give them the love and direction they need Save the recruiting class as best you can. And bring a few Sec D line monsters from the South with you. Go Ducks ......