The Unexpected History Between Oregon Ducks Coaches Is A Major Advantage

Oregon Ducks offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer and running backs coach Ra'Shaad Samples have an unexpected history.

Oct 8, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks tight ends coach Drew Mehringer against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Oregon Ducks offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer and running backs coach Ra'Shaad Samples have an unexpected history.

Both are from Texas, rising stars on coach Dan Lanning's staff and a big reason the Ducks dazzled with one of the best offenses in college football in 2025.

Oregon tight ends coach Drew Mehringer works with players during practice with the Ducks Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Samples revealed his relationship Mehringer goes back much further than their time in Eugene, giving the Ducks an added layer of trust on offense. Samples and Mehringer's relationship began when he was only 19 years old and over the last decade the two have experienced different cities, teams and momentous life moments.

Now in 2026, the two have a chance to lead the Ducks deep into the College Football Playoff in a full-circle type moment.

Drew Mehringer and Ra'Shaad Samples' History

Samples got off to a hot and early start to his coaching career. He became the youngest position coach in the NFL at age 27 when he was hired as the Los Angeles Rams' running backs coach in 2022.

But his interesting journey started much before that. Samples is former receiver and spent 2013 and 2014 at Oklahoma State before transferring to Houston for 2015 and 2016. At Houston, his position coach was now Oregon OC Mehringer. Samples playing career ended prematurely due to concussions but his relationship with Mehringer continued.

Oregon running backs coach Ra'Shaad Samples sprays running back Jayden Limar during practice with the Ducks Wednesday, Aug. 14 2024 at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

The two were reunited at the Texas Longhorns, when then receivers coach Mehringer hired Samples in his first official coaching role as assistant receivers coach at Texas.

“Drew's awesome. And the cool thing about Drew is I've been on him since I was 19 years old. He was my position coach, my first job, the first guy I worked for. I lived in his house, helped him meet his wife. So, you talk about a guy like that, there's familiarity there.”

From roommates to wedding bells, the relationship is a rare one that highlights how deep that bond runs, which now translates into a high level of alignment on Oregon’s offensive staff. Fans will be excited to hear how confident Samples is in Mehringer as a play caller.

“I'm really comfortable, and I know how bright he is. I know how smart he is. I've been around him for a long time. I know how he communicates, and I'm excited for him. I'm so excited for the opportunity he has to call the offense, and I think he's just going to call the offense to our strengths.”

Jul 27, 2022; Irvine, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running backs coach Ra'Shaad Samples during training camp at University of California Irvine. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Samples comments exemplify that despite former offensive coordinator Will Stein leaving for Kentucky, the Ducks are adapting quickly. Most new staffs need months to gel, but these two skip that phase entirely, with much thanks to a long history.

Also notable in his comments is saying that Mehringer will “call the offense to our strengths." That suggests a flexible, player-driven scheme rather than forcing a system, which matters with Oregon’s evolving personnel. It may sound simple, but consistently putting the ball in the hands of the best players is often what separates efficient offenses from stagnant ones, and executing that at a high level is anything but easy.

Despite losing both coordinators to head coaching jobs, the Ducks do have an advantage in continuity. Oregon retains its starting quarterback in Dante Moore, who elected to skip the NFL Draft this season and its starting center in Iapani "Poncho" Laloulu. The Ducks are loaded with budding stars at running back with Dierre Hill Jr. and Jordon Davison plus impressive depth.

Mehringer has an advantage of coaching multiple offensive positions throughout his career. A former quarterback at Rice, he's coaches quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends at multiple stops.

Mehringer is also a rapid riser as he was the youngest play-caller in the Power 5 during the 2016 season, serving as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Rutgers at age 28.

Oregon Tight Ends coach Drew Mehringer during practice 2022. Eug 031222 Oregon Fb 07 | Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

There is a lot of authentic happiness in Samples' comments about Mehringer. Mehringer was once Samples’ boss and mentor and now they’re peers collaborating. The genuine support the coaches have for one another is a clear indicator of the respect happening on Lanning's staff begind the scenes.

When Lanning promoted Mehringer from tight ends coach to OC, he pointed to the success that he's had with former Oregon tight ends, who are now all in the NFL or expected to be top NFL Draft picks.

“We were able to watch Drew, and you’re able to evaluate what did Terrance Fergurson, what did Pat Herbert, what Kenyon Sadiq have done, what Jamari Johnson have done in the program, his role in our offense, and how it’s grown. He’s been a part of it since day one," Lanning said.

Mehringer's history is imporant and a great indicator to the bright future of the Ducks.

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