Oregon Ducks' Dan Lanning, Dana Altman Best Coaching Duo In Nation?

Oregon Ducks football coach Dan Lanning and basketball coach Dana Altman are among the best coaching tandems in the country thanks to their combination of success. Lanning led the football program to a 13-1 record and Altman has the men's basketball team in the NCAA Tournament..

Nov 5, 2022; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images head coach Dan Lanning / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Oregon Ducks fans have had a lot to be happy about over the past year with their men's basketball and football programs having successful seasons. Both teams made into their respective sports' postseason tournament and found success in their first year in the Big Ten.

The two programs are led by some of the best coaches across the country with Ducks coach Dan Lanning leading the football program and the experienced coach Dana Altman commanding the basketball team.

Mar 21, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images / Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Shehan Jererajah of CBS Sports listed the duo of Lanning and Altman as No. 6 coaching tandem in the country, the same ranking they held in 2024.

"The Ducks stayed steady as Lanning lived up to lofty expectations in Year 3. The Ducks earned the No. 1 overall seed in the first 12-team CFP and a Big Ten championship with an undefeated 13-0 record in the regular season. Lanning is perhaps the best coach in the country under the age of 45," Jererajah said.

On the gridiron, it was a season to remember as Lanning directed the Ducks to a 13-1 record and a Big Ten championship. The Ducks made the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2015 as the No. 1 overall seed, and Lanning has the program trending in the right direction.

Lanning has remained at Oregon despite attracting interest from other schools as well as NFL teams. Only 38 years old, Lanning will only get better with time and experience. As long as he's at Oregon, the Ducks should remain high on any tandem list.

Jererajah also said that Altman's resurgence in their inaugural year in the Big Ten is what kept the Ducks inside the top ten.

"The older Altman had a resurgence during his first year in the Big Ten, posting a 24-8 record. Altman has 15 straight 20-win seasons and has won a postseason game every year, including a Final Four in 2017," Jererajah said.

The men's basketball team is in the midst of one of their best seasons in recent memory with coach Dana Altman leading the Ducks their ninth appearance in the NCAA Tournamentin his tenure. After an opening-round win over Liberty, Altman has Oregon playing in the second-round for a spot in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2021.

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Oregon head coach Dan Lanning walks the field during warm ups as the Oregon Ducks host Colorado in the Pac-12 opener Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Lanning could've had the Ducks even higher on the list if they didn't suffer a blowout loss in the Rose Bowl to Ohio State. Oregon was on the cusp on greatness after running through the regular season with a perfect 13-0 record, which included a win over the Buckeyes, but they would be unable to repeat their performance in the season-ending loss.

If Altman is able to get Oregon to advance to the Sweet 16, it should boost the Ducks' resume for having one of the top coaching tandems in the country.

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