I was going to say the same thing Ed. I know they changed the format this year to expand the teams, so theoretically FSU would have gotten in last year, but they'd still have been seeded behind multiple SEC teams with 1 or more losses. If we've learned anything over the years, there is no rule or format college football can implement they wont be able to overcome to give the SEC the unfair advantage.
FSU is 2-11 since last year's ACC title game victory. The "Super Bowl loser" hangover has nothing on the "Running the table still wasn't good enough" hangover.
Boise State was also denied a few years ago (2006 and 2009) with an undefeated record. They were ranked only 5th and 4th, respectively, even after winning the Fiesta Bowl (both times)
Dan needs to tell the rest of the story. I refuse to believe that you can land any 4 or 5 star QB without a big payday. Let's hear how much was paid. All the NFL contracts are public knowledge and no one pretends a player goes to the team whose coach he likes the best.
No it doesn't, it separates the haves and have nots with a wider chasm. Oregon was fortunate to have a sugar daddy like Knight, otherwise they'd be on the other side of the chasm. And please don't come at me thinking I'm bashing the Ducks. I'm not, this is just the reality of CFB (not just the Ducks). He with the most money, wins, most of the time. Knight knows this and is spending accordingly. Good for him...ultimately rich people get what they want.
Well, it ain't working out so great right now for T. Boone Pickens and Oklahoma State, and a variety of other programs with dominant donors. Recruiting is more than NIL.
Yep. I keep saying this over and over. Money is critical, duh! But it takes much more than that to be successful. Some only want to focus on the money because of bitterness, jealousy, or whatever other reasons. There are tons of examples across all sports where the richest teams aren’t successful. There are also tons of examples where they are. It can go either way because there are many factors that must sum to being successful.
I agree that all the Top 20 teams, certainly all the CFP teams, have big donors. You can't compete without that. Big money always wins. We have all learned that throughout our lives. No different here in "college" football any longer. You can tell from their record this year that without Pickens, there is not much money going into Oklahoma State football any longer.
Good Point. Another factor to consider is how he put in place things for the program upon his death. Look at what is happening to the Trailblazers when Paul Allen died. There is no guarantee those $$s will keep flowing.
Well, at least it changes the playing field from legacy schools and under the table compensation to new schools like Oregon with above the table payments. If anything, the playing field is even more skewed now towards teams with billionaire donors. But hey, that is free market America.
You gotta love how Offord committed to tOSU, JKS to Cal and TE Linkon Cure committed to KState, then, suddenly at the last minute, they flip to Oregon. Everybody knows it's a bribe, yet Duck fans like: "It's a level playing field for all or money had nothing to do with it". Everything Oregon's done has been bought, all of CFB sees it and fans of CFB don't like it.
Again, do something about it. If you don’t want Oregon to steal recruits, get pissed, and tell your university to “man” up and place all the chips in the middle and start investing. Even WSU has Jordan Schnitzer. Time to start snapping to it.
Again, we have Duckfan in denial. Oregon's not stealing anything, Phil's buying it. There's a difference. Now let's have you type it out: "Phil Knight is buying it"
It's just that easy, isn't it Todd? We Beaver fans need to "do something about it" like I'm sure you did before Phil came aboard. Let me get this straight. I call OSU, tell them to "man up" and start investing. Because I do that, and because they never thought about calling every potential wealthy donor to get them aboard, now they will because of my phone call. It's brilliant! My goodness, what would we Beaver fans do without your Duck wisdom?
Players are flipping to other teams all over the the country. Not just to Oregon. This is the new normal. You are so hyper focused on Oregon, you can’t look at the bigger picture. It’s sad, really. Ducks have lost plenty of great athletes flipping to other teams over the years. It goes both ways.
I saw him get a bunch of 247Sports crystal balls for Oregon and then saw Duck fans laughing on twitterX about flipping him. Too bad. Regardless, the entire 2025 Duck class has been bought.
Well, not the schools. It is not their game. It is the game of billionaire donors. And you are right, they can choose to jump in or not. If they don't, like Jensen Huang has not, the school students, faculty and alumni should just resign themselves to the fact they will not have an NFL team to cheer for.
Dream on though. Why would a coach start telling how much it took to get so and so to come to their school? All that would do would be to put a bottom on bidding from that point on. You are forgetting that the NCAA has blessed this action. Think about the days when Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, Florida, Miami et al were paying out before it was legal?
I don't understand the "Phil's buying a title" crowd. Oregon played for two nattys in the decade before NIL was a thing. Yes, a big part of that was PK investing in the program, but in the way of infrastructure improvements. Oregon's real edge has always been 1) branding (made possible with PK's investments), 2) playing interesting styles of football, and 3) winning. Oregon was in the conversation before NIL and it will be in the conversation after.
All the teams in the title hunt are buying the title. Oregon is just lucky enough to be a non-blue blood who's got someone who's willing to fund at blue blood levels. It's neither shameful nor shameful to admit it to yourself.
So your thesis is that Ohio State, Michigan, Alabama, Georgia, Texas and so on, who ended up ranked higher than Oregon in past years, didn't worry about Branding, Playing an interesting style and Winning? Really? So this is the secret Oregon formula? Wow. No, all Top 20 teams do this. But until 3 years ago there was no NIL, and so the money part of the deal was difficult / dangerous without getting your program suspended and getting fired as the HC. Now, it is safe to buy players and so PK is. Suddenly, Oregon is Top 5. No accident.
I mean, if all the schools are offering money, then the relationships still matter. Ashton Jeanty turned down more money to play elsewhere to stay at Boise St. If all you've got to offer is money then you're going to end up just like Jimbo Fisher.
I know I'm going to sound petty, but I'm tired of CFB coaches at a school with all the riches talking about "the work that goes into recruiting". Dan just points to a player and says show him the money.
Yeah, you are. You think it’s just the money? Definitely part of it but ask his family when he’s on the recruiting trail. Ask his players about the culture he’s building. Ask the staff with videos they produce. Ask the duck! There are many factors, including the cash.
Actually, the teams that offer the most money also offer the best chance at a Championship. And that is the entire point of getting into the CFP pool each year. No money, no CFP playoffs
You mean when Lanning is on the interview trail, because that is what it is today. He and his assistants pick the top ranked HS or college players, review their films, and if they like what they see, they go do a personal interview just like anyone hiring for a job anywhere, especially when big money is involved in the hire. It is not "recruiting"
His point is it takes more than money, which is a fact. I guarantee the coaches recruit very hard. They still have to sell the program to recruits because other schools are doing the same along with the $$.
Look at all of the schools that initially whiffed on Cam Ward and John Mateer. The Coug coaching staff saw what was there when no one else did. That's real recruiting.
I totally agree. The schools who actually get the leftovers, the 3 star players, maybe only mid 80s, are those who still go out and recruit. They probably are not offering much, if any NIL money (though I think for FBS all the way to #136th the QBs are going to be paid). So, the 2nd tier schools do the development work and then the top tier buy them away. Does not sound very equitable. I though "Equity" and fairness was a big deal for schools like Oregon
Best Coach in America, you ask me. Think not? Tell me who is. The right coach at the right time. And before you tell me his only advantage is Nike money, save it. I don't buy that argument.
Well, if "Nike money", and "Phil money", is such a HUGE factor, tell me why whenever Oregon has a football coach or basketball coach opening, there aren't big name coaches applying?
Oregon ran around the country begging for a MBB coach and luckily Altman fell into their lap. Oregon's first choice after Helfrich was Taggart? Guys weren't exactly swarming Eugene to try and get on board. Then after a couple years they bail out - Taggart, Cristobal. If Oregon is such a sweet deal with "great resources" then why didn't they stick around?
Taggart and Mario went home. Hard to expect Florida guys to stay in Eugene if they have a well-compensated job in their home state, much less at their alma mater, like Mario.
Altman is still there.
NIL has changed everything. Coaches have no incentive to leave because they can buy whoever they want. That wasn't the case when Altman, Taggart and Mario were hired.
Why weren't major names flooding Oregon's AD phone number when Lanning was hired?
If its Oregon's "resources" - lockerooms, offices, training facilities, academic support, uniforms, etc. etc. - that create such an advantage even before NIL, why the limited interest?
A big budget NIL - and Oregon ain't the biggest - can't overcome what coaches see as other obstacles such as no proximity to prime recruiting territories, no major urban culture, etc.
Some, like Lanning, take those obstacles as challenges and are nourished by them. Facilities, branding, fan support, admin support, staff, and NIL contribute to his success so far, but none singly defines that success. NIL is not the primary determinant.
Your assertions further prove my point: Lanning is different - and William Jewell College ain't gonna lure him away from Eugene. Nor will Bama, Ohio State, Michigan or anyone else. Eugene is home now and he is going to thrive there. The NFL? Never say never, but not now, meethinks.
"Just told him at the end. ‘Man, follow your heart. Like, what’s that telling you? Like, that doesn’t lie to you. And if it’s not us, then it’s not us." Unsaid: Lanning puts a lot of effort to appeal to the 'heart' as well as the mind and the pocket book. All three should be in place to land a great recruit. It seems, the Ducks have figured out a successful process to do so.
Boggles my mind all of the Bitter Beaver fans on here, crying and whining about NIL and Phil Knight. You saw the title of the article right? And you can't stand the Ducks, right? But here you are, trolling and miserable, sharing your misery with the world. Absolutely sad that you have nothing better to do with your lives than bemoan a situation you have no control over AND you want to sh*t all over everyone else's parade in the process. Get outside, give someone a hug, call your mom, find some joy. Goodness gracious.
That QB from Cal should be asking himself, "When is the last time a high school recruit played QB at Oregon?" He'll just be recruited over by some guy from the portal.
Bellotti must have bashed Joey Harrington's helmet before the 2000 Civil War game, with Joey's head still in it.
“Just win. They can’t deny you if you just win. You can’t complain if you just win.” Tell that to Florida State 2023. Go Cougs!
I was going to say the same thing Ed. I know they changed the format this year to expand the teams, so theoretically FSU would have gotten in last year, but they'd still have been seeded behind multiple SEC teams with 1 or more losses. If we've learned anything over the years, there is no rule or format college football can implement they wont be able to overcome to give the SEC the unfair advantage.
FSU won the ACC last year. They would have been a top-4 seed with a first-round bye had this year's format been in effect.
FSU is 2-11 since last year's ACC title game victory. The "Super Bowl loser" hangover has nothing on the "Running the table still wasn't good enough" hangover.
Boise State was also denied a few years ago (2006 and 2009) with an undefeated record. They were ranked only 5th and 4th, respectively, even after winning the Fiesta Bowl (both times)
I especially wish that 2006 BSU team that defeated Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl could have gotten a chance to line up and play Florida.
Also, don't forget about 2008 Utah (13-0, beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl) and 2017 UCF (13-0).
Ha, ha. Nobody will take Boise State seriously until they play on a green surface.
Different format now
Dan needs to tell the rest of the story. I refuse to believe that you can land any 4 or 5 star QB without a big payday. Let's hear how much was paid. All the NFL contracts are public knowledge and no one pretends a player goes to the team whose coach he likes the best.
NIL levels the playing field for sure.
No it doesn't, it separates the haves and have nots with a wider chasm. Oregon was fortunate to have a sugar daddy like Knight, otherwise they'd be on the other side of the chasm. And please don't come at me thinking I'm bashing the Ducks. I'm not, this is just the reality of CFB (not just the Ducks). He with the most money, wins, most of the time. Knight knows this and is spending accordingly. Good for him...ultimately rich people get what they want.
Well, it ain't working out so great right now for T. Boone Pickens and Oklahoma State, and a variety of other programs with dominant donors. Recruiting is more than NIL.
Yep. I keep saying this over and over. Money is critical, duh! But it takes much more than that to be successful. Some only want to focus on the money because of bitterness, jealousy, or whatever other reasons. There are tons of examples across all sports where the richest teams aren’t successful. There are also tons of examples where they are. It can go either way because there are many factors that must sum to being successful.
T Boone Pickens died years ago.
And his foundation keeps chunking money to OSU. He is just one example. Many schools have a big donor without the name familiarity of Knight.
One more piece of evidence to make my point (the only reason a paid player flips is the money is better where they are going; no one sticks around and forgoes $200K or something because they like the scenery better): https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/42775025/oklahoma-flips-ok-state-qb-prospect-jett-niu-utah
I agree that all the Top 20 teams, certainly all the CFP teams, have big donors. You can't compete without that. Big money always wins. We have all learned that throughout our lives. No different here in "college" football any longer. You can tell from their record this year that without Pickens, there is not much money going into Oklahoma State football any longer.
Good Point. Another factor to consider is how he put in place things for the program upon his death. Look at what is happening to the Trailblazers when Paul Allen died. There is no guarantee those $$s will keep flowing.
You’re not wrong!
Well, at least it changes the playing field from legacy schools and under the table compensation to new schools like Oregon with above the table payments. If anything, the playing field is even more skewed now towards teams with billionaire donors. But hey, that is free market America.
And the other schools can either jump in and do something, or continue to sob over their cereal.
You gotta love how Offord committed to tOSU, JKS to Cal and TE Linkon Cure committed to KState, then, suddenly at the last minute, they flip to Oregon. Everybody knows it's a bribe, yet Duck fans like: "It's a level playing field for all or money had nothing to do with it". Everything Oregon's done has been bought, all of CFB sees it and fans of CFB don't like it.
Again, do something about it. If you don’t want Oregon to steal recruits, get pissed, and tell your university to “man” up and place all the chips in the middle and start investing. Even WSU has Jordan Schnitzer. Time to start snapping to it.
Again, we have Duckfan in denial. Oregon's not stealing anything, Phil's buying it. There's a difference. Now let's have you type it out: "Phil Knight is buying it"
Again, don't prevaricate. It is not the university that makes the payments. They can't by rule. It MUST be the "independent" collectives.
It's just that easy, isn't it Todd? We Beaver fans need to "do something about it" like I'm sure you did before Phil came aboard. Let me get this straight. I call OSU, tell them to "man up" and start investing. Because I do that, and because they never thought about calling every potential wealthy donor to get them aboard, now they will because of my phone call. It's brilliant! My goodness, what would we Beaver fans do without your Duck wisdom?
The university has nothing to do with it. Not every school has a billionaire sports fan available to prop them up.
Players are flipping to other teams all over the the country. Not just to Oregon. This is the new normal. You are so hyper focused on Oregon, you can’t look at the bigger picture. It’s sad, really. Ducks have lost plenty of great athletes flipping to other teams over the years. It goes both ways.
Cure didn't flip.# stop telling falsehoods bitter beav.
I saw him get a bunch of 247Sports crystal balls for Oregon and then saw Duck fans laughing on twitterX about flipping him. Too bad. Regardless, the entire 2025 Duck class has been bought.
Well, not the schools. It is not their game. It is the game of billionaire donors. And you are right, they can choose to jump in or not. If they don't, like Jensen Huang has not, the school students, faculty and alumni should just resign themselves to the fact they will not have an NFL team to cheer for.
No, realist, jerk
Your view is acceptable.
Dream on though. Why would a coach start telling how much it took to get so and so to come to their school? All that would do would be to put a bottom on bidding from that point on. You are forgetting that the NCAA has blessed this action. Think about the days when Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, Florida, Miami et al were paying out before it was legal?
Exactly!
I don't understand the "Phil's buying a title" crowd. Oregon played for two nattys in the decade before NIL was a thing. Yes, a big part of that was PK investing in the program, but in the way of infrastructure improvements. Oregon's real edge has always been 1) branding (made possible with PK's investments), 2) playing interesting styles of football, and 3) winning. Oregon was in the conversation before NIL and it will be in the conversation after.
All the teams in the title hunt are buying the title. Oregon is just lucky enough to be a non-blue blood who's got someone who's willing to fund at blue blood levels. It's neither shameful nor shameful to admit it to yourself.
So your thesis is that Ohio State, Michigan, Alabama, Georgia, Texas and so on, who ended up ranked higher than Oregon in past years, didn't worry about Branding, Playing an interesting style and Winning? Really? So this is the secret Oregon formula? Wow. No, all Top 20 teams do this. But until 3 years ago there was no NIL, and so the money part of the deal was difficult / dangerous without getting your program suspended and getting fired as the HC. Now, it is safe to buy players and so PK is. Suddenly, Oregon is Top 5. No accident.
Bingo!!
Major kudos to a guy with Phil Knight’s wallet who still calls it “recruiting” with a straight face. Bravo!
I mean, if all the schools are offering money, then the relationships still matter. Ashton Jeanty turned down more money to play elsewhere to stay at Boise St. If all you've got to offer is money then you're going to end up just like Jimbo Fisher.
LOL!! My sentiments exactly. I hate dishonesty, even from a head coach, or maybe especially from a head coach
Hey John just finishing reading your interview with Dan Lanning.
When can I sign up to be an Oregon Duck?
Just need to find my leather football helmet and metal cleats.
Dana B.
and no facemask . and don't forget the hip girdle pads with the belt fastener. Oh and your pants did not end above the knees either.
Save the helmet breaking for when your are the underdog. Not a heavy favorite.
I know I'm going to sound petty, but I'm tired of CFB coaches at a school with all the riches talking about "the work that goes into recruiting". Dan just points to a player and says show him the money.
Yeah, you are. You think it’s just the money? Definitely part of it but ask his family when he’s on the recruiting trail. Ask his players about the culture he’s building. Ask the staff with videos they produce. Ask the duck! There are many factors, including the cash.
And other coaches aren't giving the same "culture" schtick? Other schools don't do the marketing videos and stills? Please. Money is the deal maker.
The money combined with an actual chance to win a championship is the key. Not many teams can offer both, realistically.
Actually, the teams that offer the most money also offer the best chance at a Championship. And that is the entire point of getting into the CFP pool each year. No money, no CFP playoffs
Yeah, look at rankings pre NIL. Please. I understand you don’t understand culture building,
You mean when Lanning is on the interview trail, because that is what it is today. He and his assistants pick the top ranked HS or college players, review their films, and if they like what they see, they go do a personal interview just like anyone hiring for a job anywhere, especially when big money is involved in the hire. It is not "recruiting"
Nope, don’t mean that at all. You’re obviously not understanding.
Clearly you don't understand how money works.
His point is it takes more than money, which is a fact. I guarantee the coaches recruit very hard. They still have to sell the program to recruits because other schools are doing the same along with the $$.
The Duck was on Mcafee today, US vs them, massive Duck floating thru BIG…it’s all part of a bigger plan, including the cheddar!
Apparently not. I could ask you to enlighten me, however that ship sailed with a petty comment.
Look at all of the schools that initially whiffed on Cam Ward and John Mateer. The Coug coaching staff saw what was there when no one else did. That's real recruiting.
I totally agree. The schools who actually get the leftovers, the 3 star players, maybe only mid 80s, are those who still go out and recruit. They probably are not offering much, if any NIL money (though I think for FBS all the way to #136th the QBs are going to be paid). So, the 2nd tier schools do the development work and then the top tier buy them away. Does not sound very equitable. I though "Equity" and fairness was a big deal for schools like Oregon
Instead of smashing helmets why not bring in an NFL adviser and teach the players how to
think like a pro... Pros show up every day and game days without all the motivational stuff
and perform because they're paid to be professional just like CF now.
John,
Do you think we will ever have an actual playoff, or will it always be The SEC Invitational?
I fear the latter...
Best Coach in America, you ask me. Think not? Tell me who is. The right coach at the right time. And before you tell me his only advantage is Nike money, save it. I don't buy that argument.
Well, if "Nike money", and "Phil money", is such a HUGE factor, tell me why whenever Oregon has a football coach or basketball coach opening, there aren't big name coaches applying?
Oregon ran around the country begging for a MBB coach and luckily Altman fell into their lap. Oregon's first choice after Helfrich was Taggart? Guys weren't exactly swarming Eugene to try and get on board. Then after a couple years they bail out - Taggart, Cristobal. If Oregon is such a sweet deal with "great resources" then why didn't they stick around?
Taggart and Mario went home. Hard to expect Florida guys to stay in Eugene if they have a well-compensated job in their home state, much less at their alma mater, like Mario.
Altman is still there.
NIL has changed everything. Coaches have no incentive to leave because they can buy whoever they want. That wasn't the case when Altman, Taggart and Mario were hired.
Why weren't major names flooding Oregon's AD phone number when Lanning was hired?
If its Oregon's "resources" - lockerooms, offices, training facilities, academic support, uniforms, etc. etc. - that create such an advantage even before NIL, why the limited interest?
A big budget NIL - and Oregon ain't the biggest - can't overcome what coaches see as other obstacles such as no proximity to prime recruiting territories, no major urban culture, etc.
Some, like Lanning, take those obstacles as challenges and are nourished by them. Facilities, branding, fan support, admin support, staff, and NIL contribute to his success so far, but none singly defines that success. NIL is not the primary determinant.
Your assertions further prove my point: Lanning is different - and William Jewell College ain't gonna lure him away from Eugene. Nor will Bama, Ohio State, Michigan or anyone else. Eugene is home now and he is going to thrive there. The NFL? Never say never, but not now, meethinks.
"Just told him at the end. ‘Man, follow your heart. Like, what’s that telling you? Like, that doesn’t lie to you. And if it’s not us, then it’s not us." Unsaid: Lanning puts a lot of effort to appeal to the 'heart' as well as the mind and the pocket book. All three should be in place to land a great recruit. It seems, the Ducks have figured out a successful process to do so.
Love this story and your insights. Thank you.
I think coach Lanning needs to bring a Penn State helmet to Indianapolis!!!
Believe Bellotti may have it covered.
I sure hope so!!! Go Ducks!!!
Boggles my mind all of the Bitter Beaver fans on here, crying and whining about NIL and Phil Knight. You saw the title of the article right? And you can't stand the Ducks, right? But here you are, trolling and miserable, sharing your misery with the world. Absolutely sad that you have nothing better to do with your lives than bemoan a situation you have no control over AND you want to sh*t all over everyone else's parade in the process. Get outside, give someone a hug, call your mom, find some joy. Goodness gracious.
That QB from Cal should be asking himself, "When is the last time a high school recruit played QB at Oregon?" He'll just be recruited over by some guy from the portal.
Bellotti must have bashed Joey Harrington's helmet before the 2000 Civil War game, with Joey's head still in it.
Have you ever heard of Justin Herbert?
How long ago was that? Herbert started in 2015.
Wrong 2016-2019
Great story John. Love Dan Lanning. He thinks outside the box. M