I know many of you are going to do a double-take of the title that is obviously in error. HC Dan Lanning and his staff have killed it in recruiting portal transfers, whether we refer to quarterback, offensive line, defensive line or defensive backs. Oregon’s track record in the portal is not only one of the best for attracting them to Eugene, but also one of the best at elevating the players’ potential for the NFL Draft later.
Even Mr. FishDuck took time from his gaming fun at All British Casino to remind me of how well Lanning has done in each of his four years at Oregon through the player portal. Considering so many recruiting busts that were left from the previous coach–success in the portal was crucial to launch Oregon into a consistent Top-10 performer in CFB. He took me to task for a title that was clearly wrong…but Charles actually misunderstood.
My title was accurate, as Lanning sent a strong message by avoiding the transfer portal . . . for the “new” offensive and defensive coordinator hires.
Just like he only uses the players’ transfer portal for areas of perceived need. Lanning did the same with the promotions of Chris Hampton from Co-Defensive Coordinator to DC, and Drew Mehringer (Top Photo) from Co-Offensive Coordinator to OC. Obviously they proved themselves to Lanning as “underlings” and he is now giving them the opportunity to show their growth as there was no perceived need to go elsewhere.
With these hires, the message is come to Oregon as an assistant to your position boss and when (not if) that coordinator eventually moves on for a top spot somewhere else (since the grass is damn green in Eugene), you will be considered to slide in/up to fill the void your boss left, and thus position yourself for a top job someday. Rinse and repeat.
Christ Hampton is the new defensive coordinator at Oregon. (Screenshot from GoDucks.com Video)
What better message to send to the next hires for the assistant positions than rewarding competence and loyalty?
After year one, Lanning needed to go to the coaches portal to replace Dillingham as there wasn’t a sufficient track record internally below Kenny. Three years later Mehringer had proved himself capable to move on up after being part of Lanning’s original staff.
Hampton was Lanning’s pick as the new defensive backs and co-defensive coordinator after coaching at Tulane as a DC when the Green Wave went 12-2 in 2022, and capping off the year with a bowl victory over “Riley’s under-achievers” aka USC. Let’s hope Hampton keeps his undefeated Trojans streak alive until he gets that call up to head his own program.
In Dan we continue to trust, hopefully never proving us wrong. Early on there were fire Tosh, and replace Will factions among fans, even on the Our Beloved Ducks forum. However, over time and with eleven win seasons coupled with improving defensive stats and balanced offensive production, those voices were thankfully muted.
The goal should always be for our coordinators to move on after a few years as that signifies their worth to the rest of the football world (just don’t become purple and/or crimson and gold traitors).
Onward and upward, Go Ducks and make this a 14 win season.
Steven A. Smith
Modesto, California
Top Photo of OC Drew Mehringer by Harry Caston
Steve is a ’72 graduate of Oregon. He grew up in Stockton, California a rabid Pac 8 fan. When it came time to choose a college, his choices then were: in LA, ‘nough said; in ’68 he wasn’t quite “hip” enough for Cal and Stanford wouldn’t return his calls; all the way North, his sister was at uw, and with that brother/sister thing, the state wasn’t big enough for the both of them; that left the Oregon schools, and as the Knight Templar told Indiana Jones, he “chose wisely”.
In ’73 after having won the lottery (No. 1 in the draft and facing induction on Jan 29th), Steve’s new best friend Richard Nixon ended inductions 48 hours earlier on Jan 27th.
After that, he went back to being an X-ray Tech until the early 80’s when he became part owner and manager of a Racquetball club. A crooked general partner put the club in bankruptcy, so he returned to X-ray by day and law school by night while raising a family with two young girls. Then after 30+ years of law, he retired in ’19. Having been fortunate to attend four Oregon Rose Bowls, the BCS Championship Game and the National Championship game, he looks forward to more of these opportunities along with a hefty dose of traveling with his lovely wife of 41 years, Carol, and continuing to spoil his 5 grandducklings.