Dan Lanning releases first public comments on contract extension

Dan Lanning is now earning the big bucks as Oregon‘s head football coach after earning a contract extension that was announced on Thursday. The university’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to approve the extension.

After Oregon paid him $4.6 million during his first season as headman, his new deal will reportedly increase by over 60 percent in 2024. The deal keeps him in Eugene through the 2028-29 season.

Lanning has since made his first comments on Thursday after the signing, which is 100 percent guaranteed.

“In coaching, you dream to be at a place where you can both raise your family and win at a high level,” said Lanning, via Oregon Athletics. “Oregon has more than exceeded those expectations for my wife, Sauphia, and our three boys, and this will ensure our boys can all graduate from the same school as we continue to grow roots in the community.

“I am thrilled to be a part of a program that has a shared vision for how to stay on the cutting edge and achieve great success moving forward, and I am grateful to Phil and Penny Knight, Rob Mullens and President Scholz for their faith and unwavering support of our program. Our relentless pursuit of excellence for the Oregon football program will continue to include an innovative and aggressive approach to student-athlete support, world-class facilities, and all program dynamics as we push forward, and I look forward to all of the great days on the horizon for our student-athletes and Duck fans.”

It’s important to note that Lanning’s contract buyout will increase to $20 million — which will last until it expires in January 2029.

On the field, however, Lanning justified his new extension after having led Oregon to a 10-3 record in 2022. The Duck’s offense finished Top-10 in the nation with an average of 38.8 points per game while their defense finished respectably enough at 75th in the country.

University of Oregon Director of Athletics Rob Mullens also couldn’t say enough great things about Lanning as well. It’s safe to say the confidence level in Lanning’s abilities is through the roof heading into 2023.

“Dan has exhibited tremendous leadership and an unwavering commitment to providing the best possible experience for our football student-athletes,” Mullens said in the same report. “This joint commitment is one component of a bold vision for the future of Oregon football that will allow our program to continue to compete at the highest level and on the cutting edge of innovation and excellence.

“We are grateful to Dan for his dedication to our football student-athletes and university, and we look forward to a bright future on the horizon under his leadership.”