McLaughlin: Dan Lanning Makes A Great Hire (Again)
By SPENCER McLAUGHLIN
Contributor, 750 The Game
Staff turnover seems more common nowadays than it used to be. Coaches are ambitious, the world is more connected, and every departure/firing sets up a whirlwind of coaching hires that stretch across the country spanning several schools. Dan Lanning has been brought into that world once again, and he’s also once again making a great hire.
To those of us outside that coaching staff, Junior Adams unexpectedly left Eugene to be the Dallas Cowboys’ WR coach. Was Lanning aware that was possible? I have no idea. What I do know is that hiring Ross Douglas from Syracuse looks like another homerun hire for the Ducks’ 4th-year head coach.
Douglas fits the profile of a young, up-and-coming coach who might find himself leading his own program one day within the next 5-10 years. Maybe sooner. His former head coach at Syracuse, Fran Brown, said as much about him when he was first hired to lead the Orange’s wideouts. After 3 years in New England with the Patriots, only serving as the full-time WR coach for 1 of those seasons, Douglas made a name for himself as much as any position coach can in 2024.
Syracuse was the best passing offense in the country, with QB Kyle McCord leading the nation in air yards with over 4700 last year. That mark beat Miami’s Cam Ward, who was a Heisman finalist. McCord also beat Ward head-to-head in the last week of the regular season to keep the Hurricanes out of the Playoff. Anybody still upset that Mario Cristobal bolted for his alma mater after 2021?
Syracuse’s wide receivers were incredibly productive in 2024. Douglas’ unit had 2 wideouts with at least 900 yards and 7 touchdowns on the season, led by Jackson Meeks who hit the 1,000-yard mark. Their prolific passing attack also had their athletic tight end over 900 yards receiving and 7 touchdowns. I hope Kenyon Sadiq comes to mind when reading that stat.
The production from Douglas’ position group in his lone season as a power 4 WR coach is unquestionable. The Orange’s 10-win season was propelled by McCord and a strong array of pass catchers. So what is Ross Douglas coming into at Oregon?
Junior Adams left the cupboards well-stocked.
Former 5-star WR Evan Stewart is coming back for his senior season. The Ducks landed the #1 receiver in the class of 2025 in Dakorien Moore. They added Malik Benson from Florida State, who was once a top JUCO product yet to find his footing at the power 4 level for a full season. Plus they have other proven returners in Gary Bryant Jr. and Justius Lowe.
What happens with the young guys who have been waiting their turn for multiple seasons? That remains to be seen.
Kyler Kasper re-classified to the class of 2022, and aside from a 17-yard catch against Idaho this past season hasn’t made an impact. Former 5-star WR Jurrion Dickey is entering his 3rd season without a notable reception to speak of. Injuries have hampered both players, Dickey in 2023 and Kasper in 2024. Do they crack the rotation this year? How many of these guys will see the field this Fall? What about other talented (but unproven) players like Jeremiah McClellan?
The bottom line for Douglas is he has plenty of weapons at his disposal. This room is going to be very different than 2024, with Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden having ended their college careers.
Lanning has lost Kenny Dillingham, Adrian Klemm, Matt Powledge, and now Junior Adams in the annual coaching carousel. His ability to hire quality replacements bodes incredibly well about what the future will continue to hold in Eugene.
How long will Ross Douglas be there? Probably not long. But for now, this is just another strong offseason move for Dan Lanning.
Spencer McLaughlin is an Oregon Ducks football contributor to 750 The Game. He also hosts the “Locked On Oregon Ducks” and “Locked On College Football” podcasts and has work featured throughout the season here.