Dan Lanning’s TEN Over-the-Top Surprises for Duck Fans

[FishDuck Article]

This coach is special. So many of the Oregon faithful are coming to that conclusion as Dan Lanning‘s second season is unfolding. There are many obvious developments we are all pleased to observe, but some of the more subtle ones I’ve been detecting have me scratching my head for a comparison to prior Duck coaches. There aren’t any. I began ...

 

Dan Lanning's TEN Over-the-Top Surprises for Duck Fans

FISHDUCK.COM

---

This coach is special. So many of the Oregon faithful are coming to that conclusion as Dan Lanning's second season is unfolding. There are...

[HappyToBeADuck]

Charles great observations of Coach Lanning and thanks for sharing them with the Forum.

 

What DL did with the personell in the off season layed the foundation for the first 4 games this season.

 

While Coach Sanders made the bold move to turn over 80 plus players, Coach Lanning quietly turned over around 50 players.

 

Coach Sanders had no base foundation at Colorado so his rebuild will take longer and have growing pains.

 

DL had a solid foundation at Oregon. He just didnt have HIS plsyers for HIS system. So far, the recruits and transfers are making solid contributions on the field. DL and staff chose wisely.....

 

Playing so many true freshmen is a blessing for their growth and development. However, we will see if that continues against Furd. Many shirts will get burned this weekend.

 

Playing the true freshmen also sends a signal that you earn your playing time. Recruits and their parents have eyes and ears. They know DL means it when he says you earn it you will play.

 

GO DUCKS......

 

PS: Charles, writers, editors and moderators, THANK YOU.......

To any knuckleheads out there this is a first class, one of a kind Forum. It is a privilege to be a member.

 

LAST WEEKEND SUCKED not being able to share that Buffalo butt kicking with our Duck buddies.... 

 

We wont miss you if you get banned. You simply miss out....  

[Smith72]

Thank you Mr. FishDuck!  Wow!  All ten of these observations are self evident.  Dan Lanning is the driving force  creating something special at Oregon.

 

"No. 3: He takes care of business." I am comforted with no more "playing down" to the level of competition so prevalent during the previous coaching staff.  Put them away early which leads to my favorite change in Oregon football.

 

Hard work = Playing time.  When a player is as good as the starter and doesn't get the PT this can lead to discontent and/or the Transfer Portal.  More players receiving PT leads to No. 5 more Depth.

 

"No. 7: Good gosh he plays a ton of guys..."  College football is serious.  The players spend many hours working very hard to participate.  Team meetings, position group meetings, weight room, studying the playbook on their own time, and then attending classes and studying for a degree.

 

It can be very discouraging when only the starters and a few subs get in the game.  The reward of playing time for more players creates a better culture of family.

 

It's so obvious that Dan Lanning has developed this culture of TEAM where Together Everyone Achieves More!  Love Our Ducks!

[Haywarduck]

I would say number 11 is he is still growing as a coach. Last season we saw a few mistakes, and tendencies that just might become his kryptonite.

 

In the past CK was brilliant, but a buffoon when dealing with the press, and alumni. It has also taken many years for him to adjust his mentality on how to manage coaches, and grow.

 

We all know about Helfrich, and his downfall.

 

Lastly the frustration with MariØ and his offense is well documented. His lack of growth while promising to respect our programs offensive history couldn't have ended better.

 

While we still need to beat the traditional rivals, I expect Lanning to learn from last year and beat them with the help of the surprises you mentioned, along with growth as a coach, something missing in the past. All we have to do is look at the amount of running Nix is doing this season to see he gets the impact of an injured qb and has shifted his thinking.

 

Coach Lanning is our coach, and I look forward to seeing him grow into one of the greatest. This will take growth and fortunately we are seeing that with him. 

[Haywarduck]

On 9/29/2023 at 6:22 AM, Smith72 said:

Thank you Mr. FishDuck!  Wow!  All ten of these observations are self evident.  Dan Lanning is the driving force  creating something special at Oregon.

 

"No. 3: He takes care of business." I am comforted with no more "playing down" to the level of competition so prevalent during the previous coaching staff.  Put them away early which leads to my favorite change in Oregon football.

 

Hard work = Playing time.  When a player is as good as the starter and doesn't get the PT this can lead to discontent and/or the Transfer Portal.  More players receiving PT leads to No. 5 more Depth.

 

"No. 7: Good gosh he plays a ton of guys..."  College football is serious.  The players spend many hours working very hard to participate.  Team meetings, position group meetings, weight room, studying the playbook on their own time, and then attending classes and studying for a degree.

 

It can be very discouraging when only the starters and a few subs get in the game.  The reward of playing time for more players creates a better culture of family.

 

It's so obvious that Dan Lanning has developed this culture of TEAM where Together Everyone Achieves More!  Love Our Ducks!

Great observations, and again makes me wonder about Jurrion and why we haven't seen him step on the field. Maybe this weekend, or maybe this will become an even bigger question. I do know Jurrion is the top question I have about those sitting on the bench.

 

Jurrion is going back to his hometown, and there is no better time to see him make his first catch, and see a bit of what to expect in the future.

 

Maybe it is just the Lanning formula for those who don't show up until fall practice.

[Log Haulin]

Lanning is a natural leader. Very few have those leadership Skills you see in lanning at the level Lanning possess them. I mentioned here a few months ago, I have only seen one other man with these leadership skills at such a high level. Incredibly rare.

 

He is also brilliant when it comes to the college game. I am looking for Lanning to do what Kirby Smart failed to do.

 

Go Ducks

[Mic]

Spot on with the 10 points Charles.  I'd suggest at least 1 more.

 

At his young age Lanning seems to relate a little better with the young men he's recruiting. It's a hard thing to explain but it's more like a "come play football with us" rather than the "come play football for me" of his famous counterpart Deion Sanders.  There's a subtle difference that I think is not lost on the young men he's bringing in to be Ducks.  

 

Lanning may be generating more loyalty to the team rather than individual glory for the coach.  No disrespect to Sanders. Just my observation.

[Jon Sousa]

An observation on playing freshmen who can: College kids normally get 4 years of eligible playing time. Top teer student athletes almost never play their 4th year of eligibility. Why redshirt a kid who will probably be gone after playing 3 years anyway? "If he's good enough to play, he's old enough to play."

 

On Jurian Dickey: When you are as good as he is at getting open, catching the ball, and juking the defender out of his shoes... How much blocking do you [have to/get to] do in high school? Now, he is not the only guy who can catch the ball. Maybe he has a few more things to learn before he is a freshman who can. We will see him soon.

[Charles Fischer]

On 9/29/2023 at 10:44 AM, Jon Sousa said:

How much blocking do you [have to/get to] do in high school?

Great point.

 

I have been VERY impressed with WR blocking downfield, and the little Tez Johnson is tough at blocking!

 

[Jon Joseph]

Thank you, Charles! Love to see your takes on OBD and it's special to find an article like this later in the week. It's not hyperbole when it's the truth.

 

#5. DL plugged holes from the portal. Jon Wilner did not have Jordan Burch, now rounding into form, in his preseason top 25 most impactful transfers but he did have SC's Bear Alexander on his list, a guy who has yet to have a major on-field impact. 

 

Cornelius at OT was a great get. Ditto, the DB transfers. 

 

#11 - Hayward's great comment. DL's mentor, Kirby Smart, made a number of bonehead decisions before 'getting it.' DL's first job was as a graduate assistant at Bama under Saint Nick. Will anyone ever forget Saban's 'Kick-6' decision versus Auburn?

 

[BTW, Nick liked what DL said before the CU game but did not like the timing of the comments. Saint Nick knows that you should never make comments like this unless you are behind a bottle of Coke or Dansani and getting paid, right? Nick, go back to your rat poison.] 

 

Players improve with game experience. Improve when the game 'slows down.' As the Navy Seals say: 'Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.' The game will slow down for DL and the rookie coaching mistakes will disappear. 

 

I like the man, no doubt, but thank goodness Wilcox decided to stay in Berkeley. The Ducks roster would be gray and not blue chip. 

 

Go Ducks! TCB on The Farm.

[Augduck]

Great article Charles.

 

Sharing a little personal insight here.   I had a chance to meet Dan and observe him in a social setting and also on the practice field.  He has the 'it' factor.  He worked the room like a pro.   I actually stood back and watched him and he was superb.  Comparing that to his predecessor who I also observed at a social event, he had to be escorted around the room by AD staff.  He lacked social skills quite honestly.  What you saw in his (MC) interactions with the press where exactly the same when he was in a room of donors.  'Nuff' said there.

 

Dan has a great sense of humor and he spoke very candidly about his wife's battle with cancer and how that shaped him.  He is authentic and real.   

 

I like how he owns things when they don't go right.  That is called humility.  He'll get tested in lots of ways, that's the nature of coaching and life in general but I truly believe he'll handle it and own it.

 

 

[Mic]

On 9/29/2023 at 11:18 AM, Charles Fischer said:

Great point.

 

I have been VERY impressed with WR blocking downfield, and the little Tez Johnson is tough at blocking!

 

Tez, weighing in at a mere 160 lbs. wet, is the Little Engine that Could.  Proof that technique can sometimes overcome size and strength.  The fact that he's willing to block is proof to me of two things: 1) Lanning's philosophy that everyone blocks and 2) Tez's desire to help make his team better.  I really like this young man and what he brings to the game.

[kirklandduck]

Think DL's style can be boiled all the way down to one thing: hardcore proactivity.  He's proactive on everything when it comes to improving the team, he doesn't wait for a solution he goes out and finds one.  It's been really fun to watch him doing his thing so far.

[The Kamikaze Kid]

He seems to always be two steps ahead of what needs to get done. Remember when he was just hired and managing the best defensive unit in recent memory on a championship run and on the side, holding together UO's recruiting class? He even called Florence while leaving the championship field. He came in, got introduced and said the right thing in every interview. Then brought in top level portal transfers and plugged up the worst roster holes like QB and patched together a near playoff caliber team.

 

His offensive and defensive concepts are both cutting edge state of the art and the staff he built has been top notch since day one. Not to be some homer fan boy, but it's hard to find much fault in how he has lead the team the last two seasons. In short, I'd say he's just a guy that gets it. Looking forward to where this is all heading.

[Drake]

I am happily surprised that his teams offensive style of play brings back memories of past high scoring teams. 

 

I agree with others about the TEAM concepts. DL’s message about the importance of the team as a “family” resonates with players, potential recruits, and their families. 
 

The message that a cohesive family unit is stronger than the individual is nothing new, but is always a valuable lesson for young people. He genuinely wants his players to learn about each other beyond the football field, and sponsors various activities to make that happen. 
 

Whether he is inviting players to a backyard barbecue, or setting up fun non-football competitions for players and staff. The team activities build lasting memories and connections.  
 

They also provide a simple, but valuable, lesson for life. 

[DanLduck]

On 9/29/2023 at 10:44 AM, Jon Sousa said:

An observation on playing freshmen who can: College kids normally get 4 years of eligible playing time. Top teer student athletes almost never play their 4th year of eligibility. Why redshirt a kid who will probably be gone after playing 3 years anyway? "If he's good enough to play, he's old enough to play."

 

On Jurian Dickey: When you are as good as he is at getting open, catching the ball, and juking the defender out of his shoes... How much blocking do you [have to/get to] do in high school? Now, he is not the only guy who can catch the ball. Maybe he has a few more things to learn before he is a freshman who can. We will see him soon.

Just an observation, not a judgment:

Dickey was already getting NIL it seems and the #1 CB at CU not playing I would assume is also getting NIL, could receiving $ before actual on-field success be a factor in their apparent lack of hard work in practice?

 

Both coaches claim hard work is antecedent to playing time. So, if not playing, not working hard?

[DanLduck]

Great take Charles.

 

I might add to #2, PR ability, showmanship. 

As Darren Perkins so aptly pointed out in his article, Dan Lanning handled that game masterfully. 

 

He wasn't glib or demeaning, more like Babe Ruth stepping up to the plate and simply pointing to left field. 

And then smashing it there.

 

We do have a talented coach. The fact Saban felt compelled to comment tells me st nick is worried about how quickly DL is improving. 

Remember, he spoke out against CK and fast, no huddle offense. Only cuz he didn't want to defend against it.

 

DL and the Ducks are on the rise.

I'm thinking NS is glad we didn't join the SEC. 

[Jon Joseph]

Saint Nick. Have a Coke (or a Dansani) and smile. 

 

Sorry Nick, DL is the real thing. Unlike the QBs on the Bama roster in 2023.

 

BUT, Bama could still win the SEC. How about DL lining up against Saint Nick in the Rose Bowl?

 

Dream, dream, dream, dream, dream.

Edited September 29, 2023 by Jon Joseph

[Log Haulin]

On 9/29/2023 at 1:04 PM, DanLduck said:

Both coaches claim hard work is antecedent to playing time. So, if not playing, not working hard?

Perhaps this is the case, hard to know. Dickey came in at fall camp instead of spring ball.

 

Could be that he hasn't gotten the play book down to meet the standard.

 

There are some Dudes in the WR room. A true freshman cracking that rotation is a tall order. Especially when JD has only been there a couple months.

 

I am not ready to tag him as a player that doesn't work hard. That would be unfair to any freshman that just arrived a couple months ago 

[kirklandduck]

On 9/29/2023 at 3:04 PM, Log Haulin said:

Perhaps this is the case, hard to know. Dickey came in at fall camp instead of spring ball.

 

Could be that he hasn't gotten the play book down to meet the standard.

 

There are some Dudes in the WR room. A true freshman cracking that rotation is a tall order. Especially when JD has only been there a couple months.

 

I am not ready to tag him as a player that doesn't work hard. That would be unfair to any freshman that just arrived a couple months ago 

That's my gut feeling as well.  Given the depth of talent in the roster a true freshman coming into Fall camp instead of Spring is already behind the curve.  But a kid with his talent should catch up pretty quickly, we might see him in the 2nd half of the season during garbage time.

[Jon Joseph]

On 9/29/2023 at 6:04 PM, Log Haulin said:

Perhaps this is the case, hard to know. Dickey came in at fall camp instead of spring ball.

 

Could be that he hasn't gotten the play book down to meet the standard.

 

There are some Dudes in the WR room. A true freshman cracking that rotation is a tall order. Especially when JD has only been there a couple months.

 

I am not ready to tag him as a player that doesn't work hard. That would be unfair to any freshman that just arrived a couple months ago 

Terrific take! Hopefully, the young man and his advisors will recognize 'this' and not decide to do the portal shuffle. 

[Jon Joseph]

On 9/29/2023 at 4:04 PM, DanLduck said:

Just an observation, not a judgment:

Dickey was already getting NIL it seems and the #1 CB at CU not playing I would assume is also getting NIL, could receiving $ before actual on-field success be a factor in their apparent lack of hard work in practice?

 

Both coaches claim hard work is antecedent to playing time. So, if not playing, not working hard?

Good thoughts, but I don't think not practicing hard can be laid on NIL any more than players being followed since Junior High makes some guys not ready to play. It's vice versa for some of the other guys who have been all-stars since 9th grade, are being NIL paid, but show up and ball out like 2* and 3* wannabees.

 

If pay-for-play was the be-all and end-all, Manning, not Ewing. would be starting for Texas. Yet, from what I have heard, Manning is putting out in the weight room and at practice. 

 

Ultimately, it comes down to the individual. Plenty of guys who are being NIL-paid are balling out. Some are not. Thus be it ever. 

 

And never ignore a program's whiff on 5* and miss on 3*. See 2023 Wazzu; not a 4* or 5* in sight.

[Ducko]

Another great informative read that made me think more about what we are seeing.  We all learn from every post you write.  As a big critic of Tosh Lupoi and the Oregon defense, I will clearly state that I have never seen a more over powering defensive performance by Oregon D for 2 quarters ever.   I loved the pressure, the blitz barrage and the total dominance.  
 

Coach Lanning has received allot of undeserved criticism for his pregame speech. I loved it.  The players loved it. Duck fans loved it.  The country except “Colorado” loved it.  Big spike in recruiting and crystal ball predictions including the last top uncommitted Running Back out of Washington is pointing towards Oregon.  It’s awesome to see Oregon continue to pull them out of the Huskies backyard.

 

thanks Charles.