Reports: Oregon adds key ACC coordinator to Dan Lanning's staff

New Oregon head coach Dan Lanning is bringing Florida State offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham to Eugene, according to reports on Wednesday. Dillingham has a three-year deal on the table from the Ducks for $1 million a year.

Dillingham has served as Florida State’s offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for the past two seasons.

Kenny Dillingham, 31, and Dan Lanning overlapped at Memphis for two seasons from 2016-17, when Dillingham was the school’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

This season, the Florida State offense has tallied 27.6 points per game, which ranks 72nd in the nation, and 379.3 yards per game, good for 85th in the nation, under Kenny Dillingham.

Dillingham began his coaching career at the young age of 17 after tearing his ACL during his senior year of high school. He went on to coach at his alma mater, Chapparal High School (AZ), while he studied in college at Arizona State. At just 21, he was promoted to offensive coordinator.

He was hired as an offensive analyst for Arizona State in 2014 under Mike Norvell, the current head coach of Florida State.

Given his connection to the Pac-12 and West, it’s a move that makes a lot of sense for Oregon and for Dillingham.

Oregon locks in Lanning for six-year deal

Dan Lanning is on a six-year, $29.1 million deal with his new program, according to documents released by the school on Tuesday

The $29.1 million over six years gives the former Georgia defensive coordinator an average annual salary of $4.85 million. The base pay begins at $4.6 million in 2021. By Year Six, Lanning will net $5.1 million. The sum is more than double what he made in Athens but it’s outside of the top four in the Pac-12.

According to the university, Lanning’s salary currently ranks 27th in the nation. In December of 2020, his predecessor Mario Cristobal received a new six-year, $27.3 million deal. Cristobal is now on a 10-year, $80 million contract at Miami.

The new head Duck’s contract is also heavily incentive-laden. For example, if the team reaches a bowl game, Lanning will receive a $100,000 bonus. It’s $150,000 for a NY6 bowl game, $250,000 for a CFP semi and $500,000 for a championship appearance. He also receives a $200,000 bonus for wins 10-13 in a season. If he earns the Pac-12 coach of the year title during his tenure, he’ll receive $25,000, which increases to $50,000 for the AP coach of the year award.