Who Should Oregon Ducks, Dan Lanning Hire To Replace Junior Adams? Dallas Cowboys Departure

Oregon Ducks wide receiver's coach and co-offensive coordinator for the past three years, Junior Adams is getting picked up for a similar role with the Dallas Cowboys. With Adams departing for the NFL, who will the Ducks select to replace him?

Dec 28, 2022; San Diego, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning reacts after the 2022 Holiday Bowl against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Oregon Ducks co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers' coach Junior Adams is departing the program to join the Dallas Cowboys in a similar role. This will be Adams' first NFL job, and a big role to fill for Ducks coach Dan Lanning and crew.

One of Lanning's last remaining original assistant coach hires, Adams helped develop some program record-breaking receivers like Troy Franklin and Tez Johnson over his three seasons with the Ducks. He's also known for excelling in recruiting, bringing in 10 different high profile athletes over his tenure including five-stars Jurrion Dickey and Dakorien Moore. Adams joined the Ducks in 2022 from the Washington Huskies.

With Adams on his way out, who will the Ducks hire to fill his space? There's quite a few options, including an internal pick.

Oregon Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers coach Junior Adams, top, directs some of the receivers during the first practice of the 2022 season. Eug 0310222 Uo Football 14 / Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

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1. Ra'Shaad Samples, Oregon Ducks running backs coach

An internal hire with experience to boot, Oregon running backs coach Ra'Shaad Samples is one of the more likely choices the Ducks can make to replace Adams. Samples joined the Ducks just last year, leaving his previous wide receivers' coaching and passing game coordinator gig with the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Last season with the Ducks, Samples helped get Oregon's receiver corps to 2.1 touchdowns per game on average, with 157.9 rushing yards per game on average. He was also interviewed by the Dallas Cowboys for a job in their new coaching regime.

Oregon running backs coach Ra'Shaad Samples works with the team during the Ducks’ fall camp Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Samples was also a wide receiver himself in college, playing at Oklahoma State and Houston before medically retiring. With the lived experience and close proximity to the role in the program, Samples would be a natural selection.

Tag on the co-offensive coordinator title, and it's a promotion for Samples. However, this would leave the running backs' coaching job open for Lanning to fill if Samples is switched to receivers.

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2. Lanear Sampson, San Diego State wide receivers coach

A former NFL receiver with co-offensive coordinator experience and already situated on the West Coast, San Diego State wide receiver coach Lanear Sampson is an interesting choice for the Ducks. Before turning pro, Sampson helped the Baylor Bears reach three back-to-back bowl games for the first time in school history and ranked fifth for all-time receptions.

Sampson has passed through programs in his coaching career like McNeese State, UCF, Missouri State, Syracuse, University of Central Florida, and became the co-offensive coordinator for one year at Austin Peay before joining the Aztecs. He was also the passing game coordinator at Austin Peay.

Aug 28, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Lanear Sampson (17) returns a kick-off against the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Panthers shutout the Steelers 10-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

During his single year as co-offensive coordinator, Sampson led the team to a round-one FCS playoff appearance, a 6-0 conference record, and was ranked No. 4 in the FCS for passing game efficiency.

3. Cory Patterson, Purdue associate head coach & wide receivers coach

With all the instability at Purdue, including the loss of coach Ryan Walters after two seasons with the program, it makes sense Boilermaker associate head coach and wide receiver coach Cory Patterson could be swayed to the Ducks. Plus, with a $600,000 salary, the Ducks could easily offer Patterson more to move out West.

Purdue Boilermakers wide receivers coach Cory Patterson jogs down field Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, during Purdue football practice at Bimel Outdoor Practice Complex in West Lafayette, Ind. / Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK

Patterson has a long history as a running backs coach with the Illinois Fighting Illini, coaching Chase Brown to an All-American season. In 2022, Brown led the country in 100 yard games with 10.

With the Boilermakers as a wide receiver coach, Patterson helped lead Deion Burks to a Big Ten second team all conference honor. Burks ranked fourth in the conference with seven receiving touchdowns.

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