Ranking each Big Ten football head coach entering 2024 season
2. Dan Lanning, Oregon
Lanning is a hot name across college football and has quickly risen in the coaching ranks to success at Oregon. The 38-year-old has spent time at Pittsburgh, Arizona State, Memphis, Alabama and Georgia over the past decade-plus, and his time as defensive coordinator with the Bulldogs helped him land the job in Eugene. In two seasons as a head coach, Lanning has lost just five games, going 10-3 in 2022 and 12-2 last year as the Ducks fell just short of the College Football Playoff. Oregon enters the Big Ten with confidence thanks to Lanning and his ability to acquire top-tier talent and is a conference favorite alongside Ohio State. With Lanning and Tosh Lupoi leading the defense, and Will Stein and transfer QB Dillon Gabriel taking control of the offense, it would be a surprise if Lanning doesn鈥檛 make his first playoff appearance as a head coach in December.
