New extension is proof that Oregon hit a home run with HC Dan Lanning

The Oregon Ducks needed a new head coach after Mario Cristobal left for Miami after five seasons in Eugene.

The expectations are high surrounding Oregon's program, so the next hire was vitally important for the Ducks. Rather than going after an established head coach, though, Athletic Director Rub Mullens decided to go for an up-and-comer in Dan Lanning. 

Lanning was the defensive coordinator and outside linebackers' coach at Georgia and he had championship experience. What he didn't have, though, was head coaching experience at any level, so the Ducks were taking a chance.

It has now been three seasons since the decision to hire Lanning was made, and the Ducks absolutely made the right hire. He's gone 35-6 since coming to Eugene, and that includes last season's 13-1 season that saw the Ducks win the Big Ten in their first season in the conference and make the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.

As such, it's no surprise that Oregon has reached a new deal with its head coach that will pay him more money and keep him in Eugene for much longer. 

Jake Trotter of ESPN is reporting that the new deal, which is pending board approval, will run through the 2030 season and Lanning's average salary is expected to be close to $11M per season.

Not only has Lanning been great on the field, but he's backing it up on the recruiting trail as well. His 2024 class was ranked No. 4 in the nation and his 2025 class was ranked No. 2. 

Lanning has been an elite coach in every sense of the word for Oregon. For all intents and purposes, he was a home run hire by the Ducks.