Oregon football: Conflicting reports put Ducks’ Dan Lanning fit in question

Oregon football reportedly hiring Dan Lanning from Georgia. (Syndication: USA TODAY)
Oregon football reportedly hiring Dan Lanning from Georgia. (Syndication: USA TODAY)

While it was initially reported that the Oregon Ducks are hiring Georgia’s DC Dan Lanning, conflicting communication suggests otherwise.

Dan Lanning has taken the Bulldogs’ defense to new heights. Lanning’s defense is the primary reason Georgia was the No. 1-ranked team in the country for most of the season, until they were knocked off by Alabama in the SEC Championship.

Either way, Lanning is a tremendous defensive mind, and one the Oregon Ducks would hope can replace Cristobal in reliable fashion.

Oregon didn’t expect to have to find a new head coach this offseason, but once Miami held Manny Diaz hostage for a week, and then managed to throw a truckload of money at Cristobal to return to his alma mater, it was a done deal.

While the Atlanta Journal-Constitution suggests Lanning is the next coach at Oregon, James Crepea of the Oregonean stated that is not the case.

Oregon football: Who is Dan Lanning?

Lanning started out as the Bulldogs’ outside linebackers coach, but quickly made the jump to defensive coordinator once he proved himself as a fast riser in the Georgia program. He was destined to lead a Power 5 program one day, it just came a little sooner than most pundits expected.

Here is his coaching page on Georgia’s website for more information.

Oregon football: Is Dan Lanning the next head coach?

At this point, it’s too soon to tell. Until we have an official announcement from Oregon, the conflicting reports suggest the sides are still working out the kinks.

Georgia football: Will Dan Lanning coach in CFP?

If Lanning does leave for Oregon — which we don’t even know at this point — Chip Towers reported the two sides would take some time to decide if he would coach in the College Football Playoff.

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