Nick Saban Calls $11M College Coach as 'My Boy' Over Kirby Smart

Cignetti remains on edge, fearing that if the Hoosiers keep falling into long-yardage situations, their entire offensive identity will be at stake. Given the demands of the situation, they will be forced to drop back and pass more, which they’re not great at. Cut to Lanning. 

Turns out that more than a decade has passed since Lanning developed a bond with Saban. The former Alabama head coach hired him as an Alabama Crimson Tide graduate assistant in 2015, and they went on to win the National Championship. Not just a win. Getting a one-in-a-lifetime chance to be on Saban’s coaching roster, Lanning got exposed to the GOAT’s philosophies, which came as a bonus. So, who better knows the Oregon head coach in and out?

With Lanning being a defensive-minded coach, he will rely on the “split-safety” approach. Following his strategies, the Ducks will try to defend the Hoosiers with a lighter box and rely on sound tackling and gap integrity to stop the run. Now, will Lanning be able to make his old mentor proud?

Dan Lanning’s leadership questioned amidst injury woes

Looks like even if the Oregon head coach wants to, the universe threw curveballs at him, the injuries. “They’ll all be down this week,” Lanning said a few days back. As per October 9th’s update, the questionable list features Daylen Austin, Kyler Kasper, Dorian Brew, and Brayden Platt. Lanning will be missing out on his powerful trio- Dillon Gresham, Trey McNutt, and Evan Stewart, who sits on the “out” list.

Out of all, the Oregon head coach must be missing his big weapon, the projected WR1, Stewart, the most. This summer came with an unpleasant surprise for Lanning and co. In June, Stewart tore his patellar tendon in his knee. Even though they had their junior tight end, Kenuon Sadiq, to count on, nobody can replace being Lanning’s trustworthy weapon, other than his WR1. But here, the Oregon head coach can see some silver lining. On3’s Pete Nakos came with the latest update on Stewart’s injury status.

“Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart tore his patellar tendon in June, with recovery time ranging from three to 12 months, depending on the severity of the injury. Sources have told On3 that he is ahead of schedule on his recovery timeline,” reported Nakos. Other than his wish to run with a healthy team, Lanning might be secretly on a mission. 

To change his predecessor, Mario Cristobal’s stance on him. On The Bald Faced Truth podcast, host John Canzano could not help but raise Lanning to a pedestal.  “I look at Oregon and Dan Lanning, and I see like Oregon figured something out,” said the host. After all, in Oregon’s history, Lanning leaves a mark being the Recruiting King. That’s when Cristobal dampened his successor’s hype.  

“Oregon was always doing great before myself, and anyone else ever got there, and Oregon is doing great now. And again, I don’t ever think the guys that came before myself, I should say, ever got enough credit,” came the Miami head coach’s sharp jab. Now it’s Dan Lanning’s turn to show Mario Cristobal who really built the house in Eugene.