ESPN Rankings: Oregon’s Dan Lanning Positioned at No. 6 Among College Football Coaches
As the NCAA football off-season heats up, ESPN’s recent rankings of college football coaches have stirred discussions, particularly regarding Oregon Ducks’ head coach, Dan Lanning, who was placed at No. 6. The rankings were developed after ESPN challenged its college football experts to evaluate coaches based on their résumés, assessing their ability to nurture NFL talent, career trajectories, and effective resource management.
Lanning, who has led the Ducks to remarkable progress since joining in 2021—culminating in a 13-0 record last season—garnered 57 points in the poll, with only one analyst ranking him outside the top ten. Notably, his coaching journey has seen steady growth, with records of 9-3, 11-1, and the notable first Big Ten Conference title in 2024.
Despite Lanning’s impressive résumé, he ranked behind prominent coaches such as Steve Sarkisian (Texas), Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame), Dabo Swinney (Clemson), Ryan Day (Ohio State), and Kirby Smart (Georgia). A common critique is Lanning’s lack of postseason success, highlighted by last year’s 41-21 setback against Ohio State in the Rose Bowl quarterfinals.
Looking ahead, analysts are keen to see how Lanning copes with 2025’s rebuilding season, following the departure of key players, including quarterback Dillon Gabriel and top defensive linemen. ESPN’s Bill Connelly emphasized Lanning’s potential and capability to attract recruits and build a strong coaching staff, setting the stage for future success in Eugene.
As the Ducks gear up for the next season, the spotlight remains on their head coach to demonstrate his leadership during this pivotal transition.
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