Tag: dan lanning

Final thoughts on Lincoln Riley leaving Oklahoma for USC and what’s next for OU

As the Oklahoma Sooners head coaching search rages on, here are some final thoughts on Lincoln Riley’s departure and what’s next for OU.

It’s been a long six days since the news broke that Lincoln Riley was leaving the Oklahoma Sooners for the USC Trojans. Oklahoma leadership is entrenched with its coaching search while the new-look coaching staff has worked to retain players on the current roster and recruits.

Riley left the Sooners in a difficult position, but when Bob Stoops took the helm in the interim, the situation began to seem not so bad.

Led by Joseph Harroz, Joe Castiglione and Bob Stoops, Oklahoma is looking to the future of the program. As the coaching search appears to be reaching its conclusion, here are some final thoughts on Lincoln Riley’s departure and what’s next for the Oklahoma Sooners.

Oklahoma Sooners planning introductory press conference for head coach per All Sooners on SI report

Per a report from John Hoover of All Sooners on SI, the Oklahoma Sooners are planning an introductory press conference for their next Head Coach.

Though it’s just been six days since the shot heard ’round the college football world, it feels like forever since Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma for the USC Trojans.

However, the future is just around the corner. It appears the Sooners are closing in on the next head coach of the University of Oklahoma football team.

According to a report from John Hoover of All Sooners on Sports Illustrated, Oklahoma is making preparations for an introductory press conference on Sunday or Monday.

Multiple sources close to the situation have confirmed to SI Sooners that plans are being made for OU athletic director Joe Castiglione to stage an introductory press conference on Sunday or possibly early Monday. – Hoover, All Sooners on SI

While Brent Venables has been a hot name connected to the Oklahoma Sooners job, Joe Castiglione indicated earlier this week that the Sooners may want to talk to head coaches involved in conference title games this weekend. That could include Baylor’s Dave Aranda, Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell or Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning.

Though the search for Oklahoma’s next head coach isn’t over, according to this report, it looks like it’s drawing to a close. Despite the coaching change, the Sooners have retained much of their 2022 recruiting class. Finding the next leader of the program will help the Sooners get back on their feet for 2023.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.

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Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde says Iowa State’s Matt Campbell ‘not a candidate at Oklahoma’

Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde reported that Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell is “not a candidate at Oklahoma” according to his sources.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde, fans can cross off Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell’s name from the list of potential candidates to become Oklahoma’s next head football coach.

Forde wrote on Twitter that his sources indicate that Campbell is “not a candidate at Oklahoma.”

Campbell and Iowa State entered the season as one of the favorites to be playing in this weekend’s Big 12 Championship game. Instead, the Cyclones finished 7-5 overall and 5-4 in Big 12 play to wind up on the outside looking in on conference championship weekend.

Iowa State did earn a league-high eight All-Big 12 First Team selections. ISU running back Breece Hall was selected as the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and the Cyclones’ Will McDonald IV was chosen as one of the Co-Defensive Linemen of the Year.

Oklahoma had two All-Big 12 First Team selections and seven others chosen on the All-Big 12 Second Team.

With Campbell reportedly out of the picture, the questions remain. Who is Oklahoma’s next head football coach and when is this decision going to be announced?

Oklahoma interim head coach Bob Stoops shared a potential timeline on his YouTube channel with former TV anchor and host Brad McMullan.

“Makes things into disarray here this past week with current players as well as recruiting. There’s a little bit of uncertainty for everybody and understandably so. But, you know, we’ll find a great head coach and I’m sure it won’t take long. I would anticipate this weekend sometime. At latest, maybe Monday. And things will settle in and people will realize we’re fine,” Stoops said.

Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables has been one of the most prominent names linked to the job. Venables coached at Oklahoma as part of Stoops’ staff from the 1999 through 2011 seasons.

After it was announced that Mike Stoops would return as Oklahoma’s defensive coordinator in January of 2012, Venables left OU to become Clemson’s defensive coordinator.

In his tenure at Clemson, Venables has coached eight first-round NFL Draft selections, seen 15 of his players drafted inside the top 100 players of the NFL Draft and had 26 defensive players drafted overall.

Over the same time span, OU has had one defensive player taken in the NFL Draft’s first round and just five defensive players selected within the NFL Draft’s top 100 picks.

Other names that have been mentioned as potential candidates for Oklahoma’s next head coach include Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning, Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell and Baylor head coach Dave Aranda.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.

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Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning finalist for Broyles Award

Hopefully Georgia can hold on to Lanning this offseason.

Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning has been named one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach.

Georgia’s defense has been historically good this year. It has allowed just 83 points through 12 games. That’s 6.9 points allowed per game, which is No. 1 in the nation.

It is also No. 1 in total defense, allowing just 229.7 yards per game to opposing offenses.

Joining Lanning as a finalist for the award are Josh Gattis from Michigan, Jeff Grimes from Baylor, Jim Knowles from Oklahoma State, and Warren Ruggiero from Wake Forest.

Lanning, 35, has been at Georgia since 2018, when he started as outside linebackers coach.

In 2019 he took over as defensive coordinator and has put together some incredible defenses, including a 2020 defense that allowed only 72 rushing yards per game and a 2019 unit that allowed only two rushing touchdown all season.

In his three seasons as Georgia defensive coordinator, Lanning’s run defenses have ranked:

2019: No. 1, allowing 74 rushing YPG

2020: No. 1, allowing 72 rushing YPG

2021: No. 3, allowing 78 rushing YPG

It’s crazy to think that is actually Georgia’s worst rushing defense, statistically, since Lanning became defensive coordinator.

The winner of the 2021 Broyles Award will be announced on Dec. 7.

 

Georgia assistant is Kirk Herbstreit’s top performing CFB coach of Week 1

Georgia DC Dan Lanning named Kirk Herbstreit’s top performing CFB coach of Week 1

Georgia’s defense was simply dominant against Clemson on Saturday.

The Bulldogs allowed only three points, 180 total yards, 2 rushing yards and recorded seven sacks on the evening.

At the half, Clemson had zero points. That was the first time Clemson had been held scoreless in the first half since 2010  (143 games).

ESPN College GameDay analyst Kirk Herbstreit ranked his top performing coaches of Week 1, and thanks to the incredible play of the Georgia defense, UGA defensive coordinator Dan Lanning checked in at No. 1.

 

Georgia football among 4-star DE Tyson Ford’s top four

The University of Georgia, Oklahoma, and more are among the top four schools for defensive end Tyson Ford.

The University of Georgia is among the top four schools for defensive end Tyson Ford. The Georgia Bulldogs football program and defensive coordinator Dan Lanning have offered a scholarship to Tyson Ford about a week ago. Ford plays defensive end for John Burroughs School, which is located just outside of St. Louis, Missouri.

Georgia joins several elite college football programs vying for Ford, who is rated as a four-star recruit. The John Burroughs School standout has received scholarship offers from Oklahoma, Baylor, Texas, Notre Dame, Michigan, Michigan State and about a dozen other college football programs.

Ford, who is a member of the class of 2022, has already accepted an invitation to the 2022 Under Armour All-American Game. He’s 6 feet, 5 inches and weighs 245 pounds.

On film, Ford is adept at working his way into the opposing backfield. He also plays tight end, where he excels as a powerful run blocker. He has decent athleticism and should only improve as he continues to add to his frame.

The four-star defensive end recruit announced his top schools via his Twitter account:

The Georgia Bulldogs, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Missouri Tigers, and Oklahoma Sooners are in Ford’s top four schools. We’ll keep you updated throughout Ford’s recruiting journey and if he makes a commitment.

Ford is projected to commit to Oklahoma, but don’t count out the other three school as they all have reasons Ford would thrive at their respective programs.

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UGA football player card: DL Warren Brinson

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Warren Brinson played high school football at the prestigious IMG Academy

Warren Brinson, defensive lineman (No. 97):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-4

Weight: 305 pounds

Hometown: Bradenton, Florida

High School: IMG Academy

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Warren Brinson played high school football at the prestigious IMG Academy. Brinson enrolled early at the University of Georgia.

The four-star recruit will be a part of Georgia’s stout front seven. Brinson is a native of Savannah, Georgia and played football at Savannah Christian before coming to IMG Academy.

Last season, Georgia had the top run defense in the nation and allowed only two rushing touchdowns all season. Brinson will help provide depth and potential for the Dawgs. He’ll be an important player in the future.

Brinson will combine with Malik Herring, Devonte Wyatt, Nolan Smith, Travon Walker, Jermaine Johnson, Azeez Ojulari, Jordan Davis and more to form one of the top defensive fronts in the SEC next season. Dan Lanning’s defense should be a treat to watch.

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UGA football player card: DL Jordan Davis

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Jordan Davis is the anchor of Dan Lanning and Kirby Smart’s defensive front.

Jordan Davis, defensive lineman (No. 99):

Class: Junior

Height: 6-6

Weight: 330 pounds

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

High School: Mallard Creek High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Jordan Davis is the anchor of Dan Lanning and Kirby Smart’s defensive front. Davis came to Athens as a relatively unheralded three or four-star recruit (depending on the recruiting service). Before coming to UGA, Davis played for North Carolina powerhouse football program Mallard Creek, where he faced some of the top competition in the state.

The run-stopping defensive lineman contributed 2.5 sacks last season. Davis appeared in every game and started eight contests. Davis has recorded 43 total tackles over the first two seasons of his career. He was named a freshman All-American following the 2018 season.

Last season, Georgia had the top run defense in the NCAA and didn’t allow a single rushing touchdown to a running back. Davis was a big part of the reason why the Bulldogs achieved this impressive accomplishment.

Now, Davis will look to combine with Malik Herring, Devonte Wyatt, Nolan Smith, Travon Walker, Jermaine Johnson, Azeez Ojulari, and more to form one of the top defensive fronts in the country.

Nov 23, 2019; Athens, GA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Jordan Davis and linebacker Azeez Ojulari celebrate after a stop against the Texas A&M Aggies. Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

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Twitter reacts to UGA’s latest 4-star commitment

Four-star Georgia Bulldogs commit Jamon Dumas-Johnson is an elite recruit in the class of 2021

Four-star Georgia Bulldogs commit Jamon Dumas-Johnson is an elite recruit in the class of 2021. He’s a talented linebacker from Baltimore, Maryland.

Dumas-Johnson will look to be the next great linebacker at the University of Georgia. He stars in high school football for St. Frances Academy.

Dumas-Johnson flashes solid sideline to sideline speed on film and has positional versatility.

Here’s how UGA Twitter reacted to his commitment:

Jamon Johnson has a sweet commitment video:

 

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Watch: UGA commit Jamon Dumas-Johnson’s highlights

Four-star Georgia Bulldogs commit Jamon Dumas-Johnson is a talented linebacker from Baltimore, Maryland

Four-star Georgia Bulldogs commit Jamon Dumas-Johnson is a talented linebacker from Baltimore, Maryland. He’s looking to be the next great linebacker at the University of Georgia.

Dumas-Johnson made his decision on to commit to the Dawgs on July 8th. He plays high school football for St. Frances Academy. He’s an excellent addition for Kirby Smart, Dan Lanning and Georgia football’s class of 2021.

Dumas-Johnson flashes impressive speed on film. He’s got a smaller build for the time being, but looks like the fastest player on the field in most of his highlights. He picked UGA over Florida, Maryland, and more.

Take a look at his outstanding tape. He secures interceptions, tackles, records a safety, and more:

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The four-star linebacker shows positional versatility. He can play both inside and outside linebacker. His versatility and speed are what college football teams are looking for in modern linebackers. Dumas-Johnson has solid instincts as well.

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