Ducks Digest

Oregon Ducks, Dan Lanning's Massive Contract Extension: Viral Internet Reaction

Oregon Ducks and coach Dan Lanning agreed on an amended six-year contract that will increase his pay by $2 million annually, to an average of $11 million annually. The news went viral on the internet. Lanning is now one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.

Bri Amaranthus

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. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
In this story:

Oregon Ducks coach Dan Lanning, 38, is one of the youngest head coaches in college football, and now, is one of the highest-paid. The Ducks are investing in Lanning for the long term, amending his six-year contract that will increase his pay by $2 million annually and run through the 2030 season, according to multiple reports.

Lanning will now make an average of $11 million annually, which catapults his salary into the top-five of known college football coach salaries. On Friday, the amended contract will need to receive board approval.

Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning during the Rose Bowl head coaches press conference at Shera
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. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Oregon fans are ecstatic with the news, as Lanning continues to prove that "the grass is damn green in Eugene." The internet went wild with reactions to Lanning's contract extension. Notably, Arizona State Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham shared a heartfelt message to his former boss, Lanning.

"Fired up for him!!! Worked for everything he is getting! Literally no connections, no short cuts! Just worked!" Dillingham wrote on Twitter/X.

Dillingham was Oregon's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Lanning for the 2022 football season. A rising star himself, Dillingham has often spoke of the positive influence Lanning has had on his career.

Bussin' With The Boys, a podcast by former NFL players Will Compton and Taylor Lewan, are big fans of Lanning and made their feelings known with a simple "LFG."

An underrated aspect to Lanning's commitment to Oregon is the benefits his team will see on the recruiting trail. His stability is an anomaly in the current state of college football in the transfer portal and NIL world. Lanning's 2026 recruiting class currently ranks No. 2 in the country.

Below is more social media reactions to the news.

Of course, Ohio State Buckeyes fans felt a little differently than Oregon fans.

The buyout for Lanning's contract remains at $20 million that must be paid if he were to leave the program. However, Lanning has shut down any rumors of leaving Eugene.

“(Coaching in the NFL) used to be a goal of mine,” Lanning said in December 2024 on The Zach Gelb Show. “At this point, everybody can realize that I’m not going anywhere.”

“I love what we have here," Lanning continued. "I’ve got three young boys that love Eugene. We have a lot of unfinished business that we hope to handle, and I’m enjoying the ride. This will be the place that I’m coaching for a long, long time as long as I continue to do my job.”

Before the extension, Lanning was the 14th-highest paid coach in college football and the fourth-highest paid in the Big Ten.

Can Lanning build on his best season yet as a Duck? Oregon won the 2024 Big Ten Conference Championship in it's first season in the conference. The Ducks also achieved the first 13-0 start in program history, earning the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff and a berth in the Rose Bowl. 

Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning speaks in a press conference after the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 R
Jan 1, 2025; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning speaks in a press conference after the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 Rose Bowl college football quarterfinal game at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

MORE: Marcus Mariota Fights Back Tears, Reveals Advice As Keynote Speaker In Hawaii

MORE: San Francisco's Deommodore Lenoir Viral Reaction To Seahawks' DK Metcalf Trade Request

MORE: Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament Seed Prediction: Schedule, Bracket, TV Channel

Since taking over the Oregon program in 2022, Lanning's Ducks have been one of the best teams in college football, with a 35-6 record so far through his first three seasons. 

Lanning is in elite company, as his 35 wins are second-most among active head coaches since 2022 behind only Georgia's Kirby Smart (39).

Those 35 wins are the most by any Oregon head coach through his first 40 games.

feed

Published |Modified
Bri Amaranthus
BRI AMARANTHUS

Bri Amaranthus is an Emmy-winning sports reporter with over 12 years of experience in television, radio, podcasting, and digital sports journalism. She has been with Sports Illustrated for four years, providing breaking news, exclusive interviews, and analysis on the NFL, college sports, and the NBA. Prior to joining SI, Bri hosted NBC Sports Northwest's prime-time television show, where she also served as the Oregon beat reporter and created content covering both the NBA and college sports. Throughout her career, Bri has achieved significant milestones, including covering major events like the NBA Finals, NFL playoffs, College Football Playoff, NCAA Basketball Tournament, NFL Draft, and the NFL Combine. She earned a D1 scholarship to play softball at the University of San Diego and won two state softball titles in high school in Oregon. In addition to her Emmy win for NBC's All-Star Coach special, she has received multiple Emmy nominations, highlighting her dedication and talent in sports journalism.

Home/News