Oregon Ducks fans receive positive reassurance regarding Dan Lanning's future with the program

Thanks to college football analyst Josh Pate, Oregon fans who’ve been worried about head coach Dan Lanning being lured away by another program got some reassurance this week. On his guest spot on Colin Cowherd’s show, Pate made it clear that Lanning isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

“Dan’s not leaving Oregon,” Pate said flatly, pointing out that Lanning’s deal with both the university and Nike co-founder Phil Knight makes him essentially untouchable. Unlike typical coaching contracts with buyouts in the $10–12 million range, Pate explained that Lanning’s situation is closer to $40–50 million — a price tag no school would be willing to pay.

Not just about money

Money isn’t the only reason Lanning is locked in, though. Pate highlighted Oregon’s ongoing investment in its football program, from facilities to infrastructure, which makes Eugene an ideal long-term home. “You look out from his office and it’s all cranes and construction,” Pate said, noting the Ducks are once again pouring resources into their program.

On top of that, Lanning has spoken openly about how much Oregon has given him and his family. He’s publicly credited the school for believing in him early and now makes around $11 million a year, putting him among the highest-paid coaches in college football. With three young children, uprooting his family would also be a massive personal decision - one he doesn’t seem eager to make.

That doesn’t mean Lanning’s name won’t keep popping up in coaching rumor mills. Every offseason, his success at Oregon sparks speculation about jobs in the SEC, other blue blood programs, or even the NFL. Pate acknowledged that maybe, down the line, a rare opportunity — like succeeding Andy Reid in Kansas City — could get Lanning’s attention. But as things stand now, he believes Ducks fans can rest easy.

“He’s not leaving,” Pate emphasized. And with Oregon surging on the field and continuing to build off it, there’s little reason to think otherwise.