Report: Oregon OL coach Adrian Klemm leaving Ducks to join New England Patriots staff
For the third time since the end of the 2022 regular season, one of Dan Lanning’s key assistant coaches is departing the Oregon program.
Adrian Klemm, who served as the Ducks’ associate head coach and offensive line coach in 2022, will leave Lanning’s staff to join the New England Patriots, according to a report from Pete Thamel of ESPN.
***Oregon OL Coach Hot Board***
Klemm interviewed last month to become New England’s offensive coordinator. The franchise ultimately opted to hire former Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien in that role but circled back to add Klemm this week.
While speaking with reporters via Zoom on Feb. 1 Lanning was asked about the possibility of Klemm leaving but said he wasn’t expecting any further staff changes this offseason.
“I don’t anticipate any changes as of right now,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said on Wednesday. “I think that just speaks to the quality of staff that we have here and what people think of our staff. Obviously, Adrian’s a phenomenal coach. But not currently anticipating any changes there.”
Under Klemm, Oregon’s offensive line was one of the best in college football in 2022.
The Ducks allowed just five sacks, the fewest in the nation among FBS programs. Pro Football Focus issued Oregon a pass-blocking grade of 84.8 which was the fourth-best in the nation. Senior left tackle T.J. Bass and senior center Alex Forsyth were both tabbed as All-Americans by various publications.
Sophomores Marcus Harper II and Jackson Powers-Johnson experienced breakout seasons along the interior of the offensive line.
On the recruiting front, Klemm was integral in helping Oregon sign a flurry of highly-rated prospects, including 4-star offensive linemen Josh Conerly Jr., Dave Iuli, and Iapani Laloulu.
Klemm becomes the third on-field assistant to leave Oregon this offseason. Former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kenny Dillingham left to become Arizona State’s head coach in November.
In December, Ducks’ co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Matt Powledge left to become Baylor’s defensive coordinator.
Oregon replaced Dillingham with former UTSA offensive coordinator Will Stein. Last month, the University announced that it has hired former Tulane defensive coordinator Chris Hampton to fill Powledge’s role.
In his first season with the Ducks, Klemm earned $800,000, according to records provided by the University of Oregon. He is due $850,000 in 2023. If he leaves Oregon before Feb. 23, he would owe the University 25% of his salary. That clause would be waived if he were to become an NFL or FBS head coach or offensive coordinator with play-calling duties.
“I think as a coach you always have to be prepared for a transition, especially when you’re successful,” Lanning said in December when asked about potential coaching departures. “When you talk about having a staff reach their goals and aspirations, you want to be able to create those opportunities and you have to be prepared for those moments.”
