Dan Lanning sets record straight, shuts down Auburn rumors

It appears that a return to the SEC is not in Oregon head coach Dan Lanning’s immediate future.

Out of the many coaches that are believed to be linked to the Auburn vacancy, [autotag]Dan Lanning[/autotag]’s interest has been the most peculiar.

A report came out Sunday that there has been mutual interest building between the Oregon head coach and Auburn, but it was almost immediately shot down by both those close to the Oregon program, as well as an Auburn beat writer.

So, which is true? Let’s go straight to the source.

During his weekly press conference Monday, Lanning was asked about the report that he was interested in ditching Oregon for the Plains, he responded by saying that he is happy to be in Eugene.

“The grass is not always greener,” Lanning said Monday. “The grass is damn green in Eugene. I want to be here in Eugene for as long as Eugene will have me. This is a destination, not just for me but for elite players.”

Lanning’s name has been a distant connection for the Auburn job due to his experience as a coach in the SEC. Lanning served as a graduate assistant under Nick Saban at Alabama in 2015. After a two-year stop at Memphis, Lanning was hired by Kirby Smart at Georgia in 2018, where he served as linebackers coach, and later defensive coordinator for the Bulldogs from 2018-21.

He accepted his first head coaching job this season, becoming the leading man at Oregon. He currently has led the Ducks to an 8-1 record, and a No. 6 ranking in the latest USA TODAY Coaches Poll. His offense averages 520.6 yards per game thanks in part to former Auburn offensive coordinator [autotag]Kenny Dillingham[/autotag], and former Auburn quarterback [autotag]Bo Nix[/autotag].

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