Oregon football under head coach Dan Lanning has made significant recruiting and portal gains, thanks in part to a strong NIL operation supported by Nike co-founder Phil Knight. Georgia coach Kirby Smart recently joked about wanting some of Knight’s NIL money for his own team. Lanning responded by praising Smart for his recruiting success without NIL money, emphasizing the importance of having strong support to be a top-10 team. Lanning, who previously worked under Smart at Georgia, considers him a mentor who played a significant role in his career development.
Lanning’s success at Oregon, with a 22-5 record in two seasons, has helped the team secure two consecutive AP top 25 finishes and a 2-0 bowl game record. Heading into the upcoming season in the Big Ten, the Ducks are poised for continued success on the field, fueled by strong recruiting efforts and support from the NIL operation. Despite the playful banter between Lanning and Smart, both coaches recognize the impact of having strong support systems in place for their programs. As Oregon looks to build on its recent success and make a push for a higher ranking in the college football landscape, the combination of on-field performance and off-field support continues to be a winning formula for the Ducks.
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