Oregon coach Dan Lanning says no chance he’ll leave Ducks

Oregon coach Dan Lanning shot down speculation that he could be a candidate for Texas A&M’s coaching vacancy, saying Monday that there is “zero chance” he leaves the Ducks.

Lanning, in his second year at Oregon, had been mentioned as a possible top target for Texas A&M, which fired coach Jimbo Fisher on Sunday and will pay a record $76 million buyout. Oregon in July gave Lanning a one-year contract extension through the 2028 season and a significant raise to $7 million annually, while also boosting his buyout to $20 million if he elected to leave.

“Everything I want exists right here,” Lanning told reporters Monday night. “I’m not going anywhere. There’s zero chance that I would be coaching somewhere else. I’ve got unfinished business here. … We have the resources, the tools, anybody that can’t understand why you would want to be at this place, doesn’t understand exactly what exists here.”

Lanning, 37, is 19-4 in his second season at Oregon, which is No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings and in second place in the Pac-12. He is in his first FBS head-coaching job after serving as Georgia’s defensive coordinator and helping the Bulldogs to a national title in 2021.

Three of Oregon’s past four coaches have voluntarily left for other jobs, including Lanning’s predecessor, Mario Cristobal, to Miami and Willie Taggart to Florida State. But Lanning said he won’t be joining them, noting that Oregon has committed the resources to compete for championships and provided a great home for his family.

“A lot of coaches … don’t say anything, one, because they don’t want egg on their face when they decide to do something else; two, because they’re concerned about things that I’m not concerned about, like getting a better contract,” Lanning said. “I’m taken care of extremely well here at Oregon. I have the resources I need here to be really, really successful.

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Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning has been mentioned as a leading candidate to replace Jimbo Fisher as coach of the Texas A&M Aggies.

Fisher was fired Sunday and his buyout will be more than $75 million. However, the Aggies’ boosters and supporters have plenty of money and the position will be one of the most attractive in the country.

ESPN college football insider Heather Dinich said Monday on ESPN’s “Get Up” show that Nike founder and Oregon booster Phil Knight is going to have to pay to keep Lanning in Eugene, because Lanning would be a “great choice” for Texas A&M.

Paul Finebaum, also an ESPN insider, said Lanning would be the “best choice.”

Finebaum referred to Lanning’s buyout, which is reportedly $20 million. That may or may not be an obstacle for the Aggies to pursue the Oregon coach. Finebaum also wondered if Lanning would want to leave Eugene for the Aggies.

“Oregon’s a school that has just gotten burned to a crisp on a couple of coaches. He may be in Neverland,” Finebaum said according to on3.com. “And, by the way, why would he leave? I think he has to be pretty happy with what’s going on.”

Other reports have also mentioned Lanning as a leading candidate.

Lanning has posted a 19-4 record in less than two seasons at Oregon. The Ducks are poised for an appearance in the Pac-12 Championship game and they could earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.