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1 of 1- Jiffy Jeff
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- From: Sherwood, OR
- Registered: 12/30/2019
- Posts: 638
Welp! So much for that!
One of the things I liked about this forum was that the participants were pretty objective about the team and coaching and other aspects of the program. I am guessing that right about now that objectivity is truly needed as the program is looking unlike anything since the Helfrich years. By that, I mean that the talent is still there, but the motivation and execution and urgency are all gone. Adjustments are missing and such. No real leadership by any players on the field.
Looking at the program under Lanning objectively, it is in decline. From #1 playoff seed to #5 playoff seed to pretty much eliminated from the playoffs, that is quite the slide. Lanning's propensity for getting cute with his 4th down gambles and 2pt conversion gambles have cost the Ducks more than a couple of games. Hiring from the inside two coordinators with career losing records has also got to be put in play as an unforced error. His QB in waiting for next season just made Jeff Lockie look like Heisman material this past week.
All that said, I think the season can be salvaged with a winning record, a decent bowl game, and a good crop of players wanting to come to or remain at Oregon. Lanning is not on the hot seat in my opinion, but simply needs to take the next steps in being a CEO of a program.
Objectively, the O-line being what it is, I would expect Dante Moore to weigh if he will return or decide to sit and focus on the draft. That would leave Raiola to continue his audition for next season. If he really ain't looking like the guy, then play the young QB Smith and give him reps with an eye to the future. Thomas is serviceable, but there is no future with him at the program. The O-Coordinator and O-Line coaches need to be evaluated and replaced most likely. Lanning? He has stated the grass is damn green here, but in the wake of annual results declining, might be already looking at what his next stop might be...?
Like to hear the suggestions from the crowd here, even if to tell me to F off with my thoughts...
Go Ducks!!!
- Phil
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- Registered: 12/29/2019
- Posts: 2,417
Re: Welp! So much for that!
No, I think most people are on the same page and not feeling real positive right now.
The coordinators are certainly an easy start to point a finger at. With the talent they have now results should be better. Maybe, if the defense keeps playing like they do they could keep Chris Hampton. Drew needs to be removed at the end of the year if not sooner.
On the coordinator issues and the whole team in general I feel like the AD needs to sit down with Dan and talk about finding someone from an analysts perspective to look at the offense. It's pretty rare to fire a coordinator mid-season. If Dan was a big offensive guy and could take over the play calling that would be great, but he's not.
On Dan Lanning he has seemed like a great motivator from the outside if you just hear him talk. The problem is why do his teams play horrible after a bye, the second time they play a team, after any rest going into a playoff? When it comes to Dan Lanning and the team as a whole I have questions? If I'm the AD I want to sit down privately a few of the level headed veteran players and figure out if there's locker room issues or has he lost the team?
To me coaching issues stand out more, it's worth asking about the players though? Are they bringing in talented players that don't have the drive or is it a coaching issue?
Without knowing what's going on behind the scenes it's hard to say if Dan should be in the hot seat. He's a great recruiter, works hard, and seems very likeable. Remember, I think we can all agree Mario was a horrible in game coach. Yet, his Miami team nearly one it all against one of the legendary teams in Indiana last year so getting rid of Dan isn't an obvious at this point by any means. Up until this point his coordinators have done really well.
Let's not forget that there wasn't a lot of great options for the job when Mario left. Justin Wilcox a favorite by many fans for the job is now unemployed as far as I know. Of course that's all water under the bridge. The question if whether Dan can win it all with good coordinators is the relevant one?
Thanks for the good post JJ. And definetly Go Ducks!!! I'm not tunning out by any means.
P.S. I forgot about the Dante situation. His draft stock has plumeted and I'm thinking he's going to want to get out on the field to turn it around. I'm not sure what his agents are telling him. I'll doubt he'll want to do this, but my thought is he'd probably be best to sit out the rest of the year and then look if there's any openengs on good offensive team with a good line for next year to reverse his draft stock. Just my idea and probably not something that would happen. With the Ducks O-line I worry about him getting hurt again or simply just doing really bad when he pair it with the play calling.
Last edited by Phil (10/12/2026 8:16 am)
- Jiffy Jeff
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- From: Sherwood, OR
- Registered: 12/30/2019
- Posts: 638
Re: Welp! So much for that!
Appreciate the conversation.
I'm not one to roll heads mid-season, and I think the point you make about bringing in an analyst on the offensive side is a good bandaid to figure out the offensive playcalls, o-line issues and QB play.
Regarding Dante, until there is a bandaid in place, there is not much upside to taking the field at this point. Staying another year at another program woudl not be a stellar look for Oregon, and if Raiola bolts then you potentially have a problem recruiting from the portal to find a better than average starter.
Lanning should not be on the hot seat. While his X's and O's have cost games in the past and arguably on Saturday, his ability to bring in the Jimmy's and Joe's is off the charts. He needs to give someone permission to talk him off the ledge when his adrenaline wants to gamble against long odds. It's a growth challenge for him to again, be a better CEO.
Regarding Mario, he clearly has grown at Miami. It is his dream job, so I expect he did some soul searching on how to be a better HC. He really laid a solid foundation here, so I do not have much ill will towards him.
To be transparent, I was on the Wilcox bandwagon and I was on the "Raiola is better than Moore" bandwagon until Saturday...
Again, my primary concern is the trajectory of the program. I think it is pointing down over the past couple of years and that cannot be denied. Think there will be some talent transferring out as well that will be tough to replace (Dak Moore, QB's, secondary) so it will be interesting to see Lanning work this all out thru the next couple of months thru the New Year....
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