Report: Oregon expected to promote Drew Mehringer, Chris Hampton to coordinator positions

Oregon is expected to name Drew Mehringer its next offensive coordinator and Chris Hampton its next defensive coordinator, per CBS Sports‘ Matt Zenitz. Oregon’s current OC Will Stein accepted an offer to become Kentucky‘s head coach. Meanwhile, Oregon’s current DC Tosh Lupoi is taking the reins at California.

Mehringer has been on Oregon’s staff since 2022. He currently serves as the Ducks’ co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach. Likewise, Hampton is Oregon’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.

Mehringer and Hampton will have large shoes to fill. Oregon’s offense is ranked No. 13 total yards per game this season. On the flip side, Oregon’s defense is similarly spectacular, ranking No. 3 in college football yards allowed per contest.

While Mehringer and Hampton will be calling the shots for Oregon soon, Stein and Hampton are finishing the season for the Ducks, who are expected to appear in the College Football Playoff. On Wednesday, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning confirmed the two coaches will remain on staff throughout the postseason.

Will Stein and Tosh Lupoi have each reportedly agreed to five-year contracts with their new schools. Their new programs will only feel better about their hires if the Ducks have success in the CFP.

Oregon finished this regular season with an 11-1 record. Its sole loss was against Indiana. The Ducks landed at No. 5 in the latest CFP rankings.

Oregon will be hungry to go deep into the postseason after suffering an upset loss against Ohio State in the quarterfinals last season. Nonetheless, with Stein and Lupoi landing head coaching gigs, Lanning has already accomplished one of his major goals this year.

“I have my goals written in my mirror, and the No. 1 goal in my mirror is to help my people reach their dreams and goals, just like I get to live my dream every day being here at Oregon. And part of that honesty with (recruits) is – the one thing I can promise you is I’ll be here as long as I win,” Lanning said. 

“What I can’t promise you is that all these coaches will be here when you win, because guess what, I want them to reach their dreams and goals as well. And I think when you’re open and honest with that in the front end, and you tell them – I want to get you to the NFL right, but I want these coaches to have the same opportunity that I have and get to do.”