Oregon Ducks' Dan Lanning Playfully Claps Back at Georgia Bulldogs' Kirby Smart's NIL Comments

Remember when Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart playfully jabbed his former defensive coordinator, and current Oregon Ducks coach, Dan Lanning for all his NIL funds from Nike at SEC Media Day?

Bri Amaranthus | Jul 25, 2024

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and Oregon head coach Dan Lanning meet during warm ups before the start of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff NCAA college football game between Oregon and Georgia in Atlanta, on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. News Joshua L Jones / Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Remember when Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart playfully jabbed his former defensive coordinator, and current Oregon Ducks coach, Dan Lanning for all his NIL funds from Nike at SEC Media Day?

Coach Lanning finally gets to respond at Big Ten Media Days.

“I think it’s impressive that guys like Kirby (Smart) have been signing the No. 1 class in the nation without any NIL money this entire time. Obviously coach Smart took a little shot at us. If you want to be a top-10 team in college football, you better have great support. We have that," Coach Lanning said on the Pat McAfee Show.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and Oregon head coach Dan Lanning meet during warm ups

Has Nike owner Phil Knight written a blank check in order to buy a team that can bring home Oregon’s first national championship in football?

"I don't think we'd ever lose a recruiting battle if that was the case," coach Lanning said on if Oregon has "unlimited NIL" from Nike owner Phil Knight.

A few weeks ago, Smart jokingly looked a little green with envy when talking about Lanning.

“This year, we took Nike, who I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting Phil Knight and his wonderful wife Penny,” Smart said at day two of SEC Media Days. "And I wish I could get some of that NIL money that he’s sharing with Dan Lanning. But that’s another note.”

Lanning coached under Smart as Georgia's defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach at from 2018-21. Lanning helped Georgia go undefeated in his final season with the Bulldogs, winning the 2021-22 National Championship.

Jul 25, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach ??Dan Lanning speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports / Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Name, Image, Likeness has completely changed the college football landscape and some programs are adjusting quicker to the change than others. The Oregon Ducks are thriving in the new environment in their inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference.

Part of this success has been due to the efforts of Oregon’s Division Street NIL collective which has been lauded by many as the most innovative and effective in the country.

But the Ducks' success in recruiting and transfer portal runs deeper than just the dollars and cents.

Published Jul 25, 2024|Modified Jul 25, 2024

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.