If you watched Dan Lanning at Big Ten media days on Thursday, you might have gained a sense of why he is doing such a good job of attracting top players to the University of Oregon football program. Yes, Lanning has a lot to prove as a gameday coach. That’s where he still needs to evolve and grow. As a recruiter and a salesman for his program, however, Lanning is elite, and it’s hard if not impossible to dispute that claim. What he says might carry some value, but the instructive part of watching Dan Lanning at Big Ten media days is that he acted like the big dog, the alpha male, the skullcrusher who insists on excellence and dominance.
Lanning strutted onto the stage. His remarks to assembled Big Ten reporters were marked by the confidence and swagger with which he said them. Lanning wasn’t uncomfortable the way many coaches are in these settings. He loved being there. He projected infectious enthusiasm about everyone and everything in his Oregon program. He radiated positive energy. Who wouldn’t want to play for Dan Lanning? Who wouldn’t want to be around him?
Lanning underscores the point that if Oregon was still coached by Willie Taggart or Mark Helfrich, it would not be recruiting or portaling at such an elite level. Sure, Phil Knight’s money is hugely important, but the head coach has to sell the vision and offer players a compelling set of reasons to come to Eugene and the Pacific Northwest. Dan Lanning showed why he’s a recruiting goliath. It’s not just Daddy Phil’s dollars.
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