Dan Lanning Talks Staying at Oregon amid Alabama Rumors After Nick Saban's Retirement

Dan Lanning gave his commitment to Oregon football by remaining with the team amid Alabama's search for a new head coach to replace Nick Saban.

The decision to stay with the Ducks rather than pursuing the job at Alabama was one that was made before the start of the season, he said on on The Ryen Russillo Podcast.

"The decision was made long before the season started, long before I took this job," Lanning said. "Oregon took a chance on me. I truly believe that this a job that we can make the best job in college football. When you feel that way, let's put some blood, sweat and tears and sweat equity into making that the job you think it can be."

For Lanning, the decision was about both the commitment he made to Oregon and his family. He said he wants to remain the Ducks' head coach as long as they will have him.

"I'm committed to being here. I've got a 10-year-old, I've got to get him through high school," Lanning said. "The only way that doesn't happen is I don't win enough. So, to put my focus on something else other than Oregon football, that's going to be a distraction to us accomplishing that goal."

Now, Lanning will look to keep pushing towards the goals he set for Oregon when he took the job in 2022. He capped off a successful second year with a win over Liberty in the VRBO Fiesta Bowl, marking a 12-2 record, and he'll be pushing for a College Football Playoff appearance next year.

Lanning has a history with Alabama, serving as a graduate assistant for the Crimson Tide under Saban in 2015. That history wasn't enough to pull him away from what he believes can be the best job in college football.

"It was never really I thought in our mind," Lanning said. "I love Coach Saban and gosh, I can't tell you how much he's done for my career and what I'm at, but I think we can make Oregon the best job in college football and that happens with focus on where we're at."

Lanning has built up quite a resume so far in his career, finding success as Georgia's defensive coordinator before taking over at Oregon, but now he's chasing a national championship as a head coach with the Ducks.

As Lanning said, that's a goal that is achieved through focusing on where he is.