I know many of you are going to do a double-take of the title that is obviously in error. HC Dan Lanning and his staff have killed it in recruiting portal transfers, whether we refer to quarterback, offensive line, defensive line or defensive backs. Oregon’s track record in the portal is not only one of the best for attracting them ...

Lanning Sends a Strong Message by AVOIDING the Portal

Thanks Steven!

I must admit you had me with the title. I was going WHAT?? I agree with Hampton taking the DC reins, but the jury is still out with Mehringer. I do trust in Dan Lanning’s process. He sees the potential with each coach I don’t.

Congrats to both coaches, looking forward to great success they will provide. Go Ducks!

So great to have an article contributed by a core member of this forum, Steven A.! I had not thought of where he was going with this, but he makes good points and conclusions. Our thanks for the article!

DL will need to hit the portal.

He should be searching for a couple of position coaches. It will be interesting to see the level of experience he brings in to fill those positions.

Great article Steven! I think both coaches will do great in their new roles. I am however a little more excited to see what wrinkles coach Merhinger is going to bring to the offense to stamp his identity on it. Go Ducks!

I have faith the coordinator hires are solid. Especially Hampton... Mehringer will get a chance to prove himself.

It will be interesting to see who Lanning hires to fill some of the holes now left by promotions. In the past couple of cycles Lanning has done a mix of internal and external hires. Samples was outside for running backs where as Michalowski and Wadood were internal promotions.

Showing willingness to promote from within is a powerful recruiting tool for any staff positions.

Lanning has done enough to simply trust him on these decisions, if it doesn't work out then it's on him. I'm not that concerned really about Mehringer, I'm sure they all know what sort of coach he is, of course the one thing that is of a little concern is the play-calling, but you have to think he has impact on that this year if he's now being given the keys.

Lanning has been able to see Mehringer in meetings, coaching, and listening to him on the headset at games to know after three years if Drew is up to the job. I too, and curious to see upcoming offensive tweaks.

I wonder if he’ll call plays from up in the crow’s nest or down on the field like Will Stein.

At the end of the article Steven mentioned, I hope the Ducks win 14 games this season. I would prefer 15, so the Ducks win the title, not just make the title game. 🙂

23 minutes ago, Tandaian said:

At the end of the article Steven mentioned, I hope the Ducks win 14 games this season. I would prefer 15, so the Ducks win the title, not just make the title game. 🙂

If they make the return trip to Miami for the champ game, it will be the Ducks 16th game of the season: JMU, Orange Bowl vs Texas Tech, Peach Bowl, odds on to play Indiana, 2nd game OBD would play in Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, odds on to play Ohio State or Georgia.

Spot on that OBD will need to go 15-1 to win the Natty.

Thank you, Stevan A., for a terrific take. The Sandy Koufax-like title curveball had me getting up off the deck to finish the read.

I think OL portal picking will be essential heading into 2026. What an amazing job to have an OL with four new starters up for the Joe Moore Award, and for the backups to play like starters when needed.

From Saint Nick to Urban Meyer, on down, football folks consider the OL position the most challenging to recruit. A number of this season's epic fails, Clemson, Penn State, and LSU, came down to inferior OL play.

What OBD's coaches have done this season with 14 new starters is terrific. Younger coaches on staff have earned the right to move on up. Thanks for giving our new OC, DC, and HC deserved and earned acclaim.

If Dan Lanning hasn't earned the trust of Oregon fans by now, I guess he'll have to double-dip in Miami and finish 15-1 with a title in hand.

Going PO 4-0 will take a win over the Sun Belt champion, the B12 champion, and possibly the Big Ten and SEC champions, or one of the Power 2 champs and the defending champ. WHEW!

Devastate the Dukes!