Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Dan Lanning

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 23, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Dan Lanning made an impact.

Dan Lanning is an American college football coach, currently the head coach at the University of Oregon. Before Oregon, he served as the defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach at the University of Georgia from 2019 to 2021. He is primarily known for his success in college football coaching.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2004: College Football at William Jewell

In 2004, Dan Lanning began his college football career as a linebacker at William Jewell College.

2007: End of College Career

In 2007, Dan Lanning's college football playing career at William Jewell College concluded.

2013: Promotion at Arizona State

In 2013, Lanning was promoted to the on-campus recruiting coordinator at Arizona State.

March 2014: Hired at Sam Houston State

In March 2014, Dan Lanning was hired as the defensive backs coach and co-recruiting coordinator at Sam Houston State.

December 2015: Hired by Memphis

In December 2015, Lanning was hired as the inside linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at Memphis, reuniting with Mike Norvell.

2015: Graduate Assistant at Alabama

In 2015, Dan Lanning worked as a graduate assistant at Alabama, where the Crimson Tide won the CFP National Championship game against Clemson.

2018: Promotion to Defensive Coordinator

After Mel Tucker left Georgia in 2018, Dan Lanning was promoted to defensive coordinator in addition to his role as outside linebackers coach.

2018: Hired by Georgia

In 2018, Lanning was hired by the University of Georgia as the outside linebackers coach.

December 11, 2021: Named Head Coach at Oregon

On December 11, 2021, Lanning was named the 35th head coach at the University of Oregon, replacing Mario Cristobal. He signed a six-year, $29.1 million contract and led the team to a successful first season.

2021: Considered for Kansas Head Coach

In 2021, Lanning was considered for the head coach vacancy at Kansas, but the position was ultimately filled by Lance Leipold.

2022: National Championship Win

In 2022, Lanning's final year with Georgia, the team finished undefeated and won the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship, defeating Michigan and Alabama.

2023: 2023 Season at Oregon

In the 2023 season, Lanning led the Oregon Ducks to an 11-1 regular season record, with a loss to Washington. They later lost to Washington again in the Pac-12 Championship but finished the season with a victory over Liberty in the Fiesta Bowl.

2024: 2024 Season

In 2024, Lanning led the Oregon Ducks to a perfect 12-0 regular season, including a win over Ohio State. The Ducks won the Big Ten Championship and qualified for the College Football Playoff, but were defeated by Ohio State in the quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl.