Oregon Ducks' Dan Lanning Addresses Tampering Consequences In College Football

Oregon Ducks coach Dan Lanning held his press conference at Big Ten Media Days from Las Vegas, Nevada, on Wednesday, and he touched on a number of topics.

Lanning revealed Oregon's theme for the 2025 season, "Double down," and he also revealed that the Ducks have gained over 1,300 pounds over the offseason.

In a 15-minute appearance, Lanning also took questions from reporters. When asked about consequences for tampering, the Ducks coach agreed that consequences can help the issue go away.

Dec 31, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning during the Rose Bowl head coaches press conference at Sheraton Grand LA. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

What Dan Lanning Said At Big Ten Media Days

On tampering issue in college football:

"Play the game the way it's supposed to be played. But there have to be consequences to those actions, if there aren't consequences, there will be issues like that," said Lanning.

On quarterback Dante Moore:

"I think probably what impresses me most with Dante is not wanting to be in a microwave society, not wanting to just get it fast because there's an opportunity for him. But to have a slow cooked meal. right? To to have the opportunity to sit back and mature and learn. Learn from experiences that you don't necessarily have to be on the field to feel. That's the same goes for Austin and the same goes for Luke and the other guys in our program," said Lanning.

"Those guys have learned from great quarterbacks that have done in it at a really, really high level, for him to have that opportunity to show maturity, developing his leadership, I think it's gonna create a great opportunities for our team," he continued.

Combat Ducks quarterback Dante Moore throws out a pass as the Fighting Ducks face off against Mighty Oregon in the spring gam — Combat Ducks quarterback Dante Moore throws out a pass as the Fighting Ducks face off against Mighty Oregon in the Oregon Ducks spring game on April 26, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On team's offseason workouts, weight gain:

"Back in Oregon, our strength staff, Coach (Wilson) Love and his crew, our nutrition staff with Brenna (Sleggs), sports performance, Ben McKay. . . . These guys have done an unbelievable job this summer of putting our team in position to be better," said Lanning.

"Our players have worked really hard, and they put on over 1,300 pounds this offseason. Our overall peak power numbers have gone up over 21 percent. The average gain for our freshman is over 17 pounds, so there's some exciting. You look for wins in the offseason, those are some great wins for our team."

On season's theme:

"Since we're in Vegas, it seems like the right time to say it that, our theme for this team is double down. We have done an unbelievable job of building this team over time. You looked at our success season of season, and as this team has grown, the process works. We're close, and we've been able to accomplish a lot. So that's really what's gonna feed our program this offseason and will feed us into fall camp, believing in the process that we have," said Lanning.

"We've got great buy in from our players. it is a cast of new characters. You're gonna see new people in the field, which is exciting. I'm very excited about this team," Lanning said.

On learning from losses:

"I think every coach probably feels this way, but we always remember the losses over the wins. I think there's a lot you can learn from that. It doesn't take away from what we were able to accomplish, but we lost to a great team. Coach Day did an unbelievable job last year of having his team in position to have success there, and there's some things that I feel like I could have done better there at the end. I don't think we played our best football," said Lanning.

"That being said, we did go undefeated in the conference, we won the Big Ten Championship in our first year, so like I said, 'Double down.' Focus on our process. What do we what do we have to continue to improve? There's always learning lessons, but it doesn't necessarily impact the future," said Lanning.

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Opening Statement:

"Really thrilled to be representing the University of Oregon, a dream come true for me. Going into my fourth season to get that opportunity, and I wake up forever grateful for that chance. Want to continue to thank the leadership that we have at the University of Oregon and president Scholz, (athletic director) Rob Mullens, they do an unbelievable job in our program," said Lanning.

"We appreciate the job you guys do here. I know sitting around in this room all day can be be a challenge, especially in Vegas. You guys seem to be handling below, though. I don't seem too many closed eyes," Lanning said to the media.

Media Days Preview

The Oregon coach will be followed by Washington Huskies coach Jedd Fisch and Penn State coach James Franklin. Throughout the afternoon, coaches and players from a number of Big Ten programs will also appear on the Big Ten Network.

In addition to Lanning, Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq, linebacker Bryce Boettcher, and defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei will be representing Oregon. Lanning and the Ducks' appearances will give Oregon fans a chance to hear about the team's preseason outlook from the leaders of the program.

What will Lanning talk to about when he addresses reporters? Questions about Ducks quarterbacks Dante Moore and Austin Novosad are sure to be among the top topics for Lanning. Other newcomers like running back Makhi Hughes and safety Dillon Thieneman are expected to be major contributors for Oregon in 2025.

Ohio State's Ryan Day on Oregon's Dan Lanning

On Tuesday, Ohio State was among the first group of teams to appear at Big Ten Media Days, and Buckeyes coach Ryan Day was asked about Lanning and the Ducks. Despite the on-field rivalry that is growing between Oregon and Ohio State, Day revealed how much he respects the Ducks coach.

"I think Dan (Lanning) is a great coach," Day told Oregon on SI's Bri Amaranthus. "I think he's got a great perspective when you really get a chance to know him, which I have. We got a chance to go on the Nike trip together and then also play golf this spring."

Jul 22, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Ohio State head coach Ryan Day speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort. | Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

"When you hear the story about he and his wife and everything his wife has been through, he's got an unbelievable perspective on the game and what motivates him. You don't always see that in coaches. So I have a lot of respect for him and not only the work that he does, but also the perspective that he has. He cares about people and he's got a good balance in his life, I believe. He's very intelligent and it's always good competing against him," Day continued.

After their two matchups last season, Ohio State and the Ducks are not scheduled to meet in 2025. The two programs could meet in the Big Ten Conference Championship or even the College Football Playoff, but both the Ducks and the Buckeyes will have their hands full in the regular season.