Dan Lanning Announces 'I'm Not Leaving' Oregon

The Oregon head coach was considered a top target for the vacant Alabama position.

One of the names considered a top target for the Alabama head coaching vacancy will likely not be the next head coach of the Crimson Tide. 

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning was reported to be in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday, but released a video on his personal social media account Thursday morning announcing that he would not be leaving the Ducks. 

pic.twitter.com/NKnRYbS4u9

— Dan Lanning (@CoachDanLanning) January 11, 2024

Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne is famously known for keeping coaching searches under tight wraps. He issued a statement Wednesday evening saying, "Next time I talk publicly will be to announce the next head coach. If you don't hear it from me, don't believe it."

Lanning only has two years experience as a head coach, but has had a successful two seasons at Oregon, leading the Ducks to a 22-5 record. However, he also has ties to the Alabama program, working as graduate assistant under Saban in 2015 as part of the national championship team. He worked under Kirby Smart at Georgia from 2018-2021, and it was rumored at the time that Saban wanted Lanning to rejoin his staff at Alabama. 

He appeared on The Pat McAfee Show Thursday afternoon and said he was watching a movie with his son last night. He re-affirmed his commitment to Oregon, but did not confirm or deny whether he had been offered the job by Alabama. 

The Oregon head coach has a buyout of $20 million. 

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