Oregon can't afford a single scholarship (full or partial) for Beach Volleyball but they can afford this? I'm not saying Lanning isn't worthy of an extension or raise, but it really makes Mullens argument that "resources are the issue" around the Beach Volleyball budget even more of a slap in the face to the student athletes in that program. I love my Ducks but the issues around that program uncovered by good local journalism are embarrassing and the University and Athletic Department should be ashamed. I know the Oregonian has been all over this, but I would love to see your take as well.
teel77, I don't care whether Beach Volleyball (BV) at UofO is a low priority sport or a club sport. Nor, do I care whether the AD provides tuition or a partial scholarship for the recruited players. I know a number of the indoor volleyball players participate on the Beach Volleyball team. What I believe is important is the BV players represent UofO, and the Ducks AD should be responsible to ensure travel, quarters, food, and medical are covered in a classy Ducks way, befitting the university's representatives. The coaches, players, and staff personnel should represent the Ducks in the highest light, period. Mr. Mullens is overall in charge, and every sport and everything taking place in those sports carries his name and the University's reputation. No one in the AD ought to forget that; that's not negotiable. VR, J Horvath
You didn't ask for my take but that's what this forum is all about - opinions. I think Beach Volleyball is nothing more than a club sport. Comparing Oregon's football program, which essentially pays for everything in athletics with Beach Volleyball is ridiculous. What's next, Shuttlecock? How about Hot Dog Eating contests? Booger flicking? Mullens has done the right thing. It would be absolutely embarrassing and illogical to squeeze football and any other sport at Oregon - men's or women's - in order to fund Beach Volleyball. Typical of the Oregonian to be "all over" a story like this...another example of why the Oregonian, once one of the great newspapers on the West Coast, is now a 4-day a week tabloid with a circulation dropping faster than Jeffrey Epstein's pants on Angel Island.
My thoughts exactly. Slighting of Beach Volleyball is an embarrassment that needs to be remedied along with Dan’s bump in pay. The well apparently is not dry.
Bit of a smokescreen there. Football pays for just about every other men's program as well... including baseball, golf, tennis and (gasp) track & field. And, another great reason to keep Lanning to keep he profit rolling.
Point well taken. I feel badly for those women and hope the funding and treatment of the beach volleyball team is resolved. However, as former, wrestler, coach, and father of a former wrestler my sympathy only goes so far. The callous elimination of the men’s wrestling program brought on by an irrational panic over satisfying TitleIX still frustrates and saddens me.
Kinda early to be giving extensions...(1 year?) But then that's Mullens...He seems to be governed by emotions. Why not let Lanning prove something before we get all emotional with him. ONE 10-3 SEASON doesn't prove a thing. I mean his bad decision making actually kept the program from winning the League title. I think after 3 years we'd have had a better sampling.
I agree in principle with you...however in practicality, you have to lock up (lock down?) who you believe is a good coach. Over that last 10 years, UO has everything in place to be (& remain) a top-10 program...except coaching & staff stability. Even Chip Kelly was only there 4 years. I'd argue that Cristobal was only there 3.5 years before he started to disengage from the program (and he was a C+ coach with high coordinator turnover).
It's obvious that Lanning is a down-home, personable guy and a top-tier recruiter. Can he develop into a top-tier "X's & O's" tactician? Can he find & retain top-tier coordinators & assistant coaches to develop program stability? To be determined over the coming years.
But it all starts with retaining a promising head coach,.so I believe Mullins is making the right move here (given what's known).
P.S. OSU's & Utah's conference ascensions have totally been driven by finding/keeping the right head coaches for their programs & relative coaching staff stability. So the blueprint is out there...
Good post. Nobody was more unhappy than me when Lanning kicked away the Oregon State and Washington games - nobody. But his entire body of work - energy level, intensity, high connection with young athletes, staff selection, and - one of the most important - elite level recruiting, is outstanding.
Guys like Lanning are rare. His upside performance potential is the sky. Glad Mullens extended him. I think all Oregon fans will be very soon.
I agree with you. Since when does Losing to Oregon State (badly) and Washington gets you an extension in Eugene? As a beaver I'm glad Lanning will be here for awhile. I really like his in game decisions.
It's a win-win for the Beavs. If he's as good as they hope then it's years of a great rivalry. If he's as bad as we hope then it's years of Beavs domination. Go Beavs!
LOLOL...a little premature on your part too isn't it? one good OSU season is not a harbinger of great things to come. Oregon's been winning since 1995 give or take a couple sub par seasons...OSewe not so much.
Could not disagree more. Waiting 3 years will be too late. They gave him a raise and more importantly, a much bigger buyout. He is recruiting with the big boy's and thats what it takes to win. As for his in game decisions, lets talk Huskies. Lanning had a defense last season that could not stop the pass. He made the decision that it is easier to gain one yard on 4th and one, than give the ball back to the Husky offense which we could not stop. I have no problem with decisions like that. He has balls and plays to win. Every coach makes decisions during the course of a season that they wish they had back. I'm sure Lanning does as well, but his decisions like the 4th and one were logical and defendable. Ther truth is, you take away a bad snap from center against the Huskies, and a dropped snap by the punter against OSU, and Oregon is at least a 12 win team. No need to wait 3 years. It's obvious that he is going to turn this program into a national power
Good for everyone, Oregon was once known for coaching longevity. Time for some portal dust to settle. Nice write up, John. We appreciate your effort, you'll be needing an extension your good. self one of these days. I vote "you bet!" Charlie
As a Beavs fan, and my desire for the Ducks to lose often, I am actually honestly happy that they are keeping Lanning. He is a great guy, and seems a perfect fit for UO.
It seems the PAC is extremely lucky, so many of the teams have perfect coaches. Utes with Whittingham, Beavis with Smith, ASU with Dillingham, UW with DeBoer, Stanford with Taylor....
The others are possibly great as well... If this keeps up, the Pac will be back on the map
As a Ducks fan, and my desire for the Beavs to lose to us every time, I am actually happy that OSU has Stewart as a coach. He's a class act that can hopefully raise the profile of the OSU program to new heights. Here's to looking forward to "civil war" games with real meaning in the future. Good luck in 2023.
lol, cognitive flatulence on my part. Jonathon Stewart the Oregon RB somehow in my brain replaced Jonathan Smith the QB and now Coach at OSU. Senior moment.
I hope he sticks around for awhile. His Dad is correct; there are many, many things in life that are better than money. And the amount he's making in Eugene is not exactly chump change.
There aren't "many" things in life better than money, but there are a few things that are much more important. Lanning appears grounded - has his priorities right and I think he's very talented.
Remember, Mullens extended Helfrich when didn’t need to. Helf wasn’t being “mentioned” for any openings around the country. That ended badly. I’m hoping for improvement from Lanning and give him B- last year, but an extension wasn’t warranted at this time.
I think Lanning grades out at a B for last season, but I'm not quibbling with your B-. You can't lose to Washington and Oregon State in the same season and call it anything higher than B... or, again, your B-. Especially when Oregon had those two games and Lanning's playcalling kicked them both away. I do, however, think Oregon made the right hire and did the right thing with the extension. Loyalty is a two-way street. Lanning's done his part. No b.s. talk about going back to the SEC or any other garbage that Taggart and Cristobal put the Ducks through. None from Lanning and there were opportunities.
If Lanning or Oregon football has any future problems it will be "fans" automatically considering any losses as games Oregon "had". So very predictable.
Husky Fans like Lanning’s extension. Great family man, seems to be an individual of integrity, and a maker of questionable (read mediocre) calls when it matters
You're a good sport, David. Your Huskies made a great hire in Deboer - he's going to give the Pac-12 (10?), including Oregon, a lot of trouble for years to come. I think Lanning is going to give the Huskies all they can handle, too...it will be a great rivalry once again.
In the meantime your Huskies suck sewer water! (kidding you).
I think this is good for Oregon football. Lanning has room for improvement, but this gives him the opportunity to do that, and I think he is capable of it. I'm looking forward to this year, but more than that, I'm looking forward to seeing the team that he puts together over a span of years. It should be fun to watch!
You want to see a newspaper that has truly fallen on its face - look no further than the Oregonian. Once one of the great newspapers on the West Coast, they have now become a laughingstock tabloid available 4 days a week. And, they deserve becoming nothing more than dog poop-bags.
The Des Moines Register is still a viable, first class newspaper which does what the Framers wanted the press to do - be skeptical of government and protect the people.
Yeah, we get a lot of Statesman Journal produced work in The Eugene paper. Mabe it should be called the Statesman Register Journal Guard. That would cost extra ink, though.
Beach Volleyball is, and should be, a club sport. It's tiring to listen to the "aggrieved" suggest they're getting slighted because of inadequate athletic department funding. You really want to complain about something - how about the elimination of Men's Wrestling, which at one time was big at Oregon. O.K., some sacrifices have to be made in men's athletics to support Title IX and give women an equal opportunity. I support that. Women should have precisely the same opportunity as men. But, please, Beach Volleyball? That's flat embarrassing. Provide more funding to other school athletics that both men and women participate in and have equal opportunities - not some made-up nonsense that has no more importance than Shuttlecock or Ping Pong. Please.
My granddaughter wrestles in high school. She wouldn't agree with your assessment of wrestling.
If you want to play Beach Volleyball be my guest. But fund it yourself and stop begging for money from the current Men's and Women's athletic department. Where does it end - dwarf tossing?
The Lanning kids look great in Duckwear! I’m no psychic, but I really believe this is a good man and coach who can build a solid winner and end the revolving door nonsense in Eugene. I’ve been impressed with his leadership, even given a few mistakes in game situations. OU is fortunate as is OSU. Good luck to both of them!
This is good news for all the reasons you've written about here. I'm very happy for Lanning and his family - football families deserve some longevity, roots and community.
I think Lanning is going to be a fine coach. His recruiting is already outstanding - elite level. His energy level is second to none and that's critical in college football today. I love his intensity - it's at the Kirby Smart/Nick Saban level. Now he needs to prove it on the field. The Ducks had a good season last year under Lanning - a good season, not a great one. You don't lose to Oregon State and Washington in the same year and call it anything more than a decent season if you win ten of your other eleven games. He did beat Utah, which USC couldn't do in two tries. Bottom line - I don't see anybody in the Pac-12 (10?) that I'd rather have coaching the Ducks. Very happy for Lanning and his family...but also happy for Ducks fans.
I'm going to go out on a limb to say that I predict Lanning will stay in Eugene, at least until his youngest son is out of high school. In the photo, I'm guessing he's around 10--so that could be all of this extended contract and possibly one more after that.
In just one year of coaching at Oregon, he's created amazing chemistry with his players. I'm looking forward to seeing many, many Civil War battles between the Ducks and Beavers!
Oregon can't afford a single scholarship (full or partial) for Beach Volleyball but they can afford this? I'm not saying Lanning isn't worthy of an extension or raise, but it really makes Mullens argument that "resources are the issue" around the Beach Volleyball budget even more of a slap in the face to the student athletes in that program. I love my Ducks but the issues around that program uncovered by good local journalism are embarrassing and the University and Athletic Department should be ashamed. I know the Oregonian has been all over this, but I would love to see your take as well.
teel77, I don't care whether Beach Volleyball (BV) at UofO is a low priority sport or a club sport. Nor, do I care whether the AD provides tuition or a partial scholarship for the recruited players. I know a number of the indoor volleyball players participate on the Beach Volleyball team. What I believe is important is the BV players represent UofO, and the Ducks AD should be responsible to ensure travel, quarters, food, and medical are covered in a classy Ducks way, befitting the university's representatives. The coaches, players, and staff personnel should represent the Ducks in the highest light, period. Mr. Mullens is overall in charge, and every sport and everything taking place in those sports carries his name and the University's reputation. No one in the AD ought to forget that; that's not negotiable. VR, J Horvath
You didn't ask for my take but that's what this forum is all about - opinions. I think Beach Volleyball is nothing more than a club sport. Comparing Oregon's football program, which essentially pays for everything in athletics with Beach Volleyball is ridiculous. What's next, Shuttlecock? How about Hot Dog Eating contests? Booger flicking? Mullens has done the right thing. It would be absolutely embarrassing and illogical to squeeze football and any other sport at Oregon - men's or women's - in order to fund Beach Volleyball. Typical of the Oregonian to be "all over" a story like this...another example of why the Oregonian, once one of the great newspapers on the West Coast, is now a 4-day a week tabloid with a circulation dropping faster than Jeffrey Epstein's pants on Angel Island.
Beach Volleyball. Embarrassing.
My thoughts exactly. Slighting of Beach Volleyball is an embarrassment that needs to be remedied along with Dan’s bump in pay. The well apparently is not dry.
A quick reminder that the football team pays for a whole lot of title IX scholarships.
Bit of a smokescreen there. Football pays for just about every other men's program as well... including baseball, golf, tennis and (gasp) track & field. And, another great reason to keep Lanning to keep he profit rolling.
John,
Point well taken. I feel badly for those women and hope the funding and treatment of the beach volleyball team is resolved. However, as former, wrestler, coach, and father of a former wrestler my sympathy only goes so far. The callous elimination of the men’s wrestling program brought on by an irrational panic over satisfying TitleIX still frustrates and saddens me.
Kinda early to be giving extensions...(1 year?) But then that's Mullens...He seems to be governed by emotions. Why not let Lanning prove something before we get all emotional with him. ONE 10-3 SEASON doesn't prove a thing. I mean his bad decision making actually kept the program from winning the League title. I think after 3 years we'd have had a better sampling.
I agree in principle with you...however in practicality, you have to lock up (lock down?) who you believe is a good coach. Over that last 10 years, UO has everything in place to be (& remain) a top-10 program...except coaching & staff stability. Even Chip Kelly was only there 4 years. I'd argue that Cristobal was only there 3.5 years before he started to disengage from the program (and he was a C+ coach with high coordinator turnover).
It's obvious that Lanning is a down-home, personable guy and a top-tier recruiter. Can he develop into a top-tier "X's & O's" tactician? Can he find & retain top-tier coordinators & assistant coaches to develop program stability? To be determined over the coming years.
But it all starts with retaining a promising head coach,.so I believe Mullins is making the right move here (given what's known).
P.S. OSU's & Utah's conference ascensions have totally been driven by finding/keeping the right head coaches for their programs & relative coaching staff stability. So the blueprint is out there...
Good post. Nobody was more unhappy than me when Lanning kicked away the Oregon State and Washington games - nobody. But his entire body of work - energy level, intensity, high connection with young athletes, staff selection, and - one of the most important - elite level recruiting, is outstanding.
Guys like Lanning are rare. His upside performance potential is the sky. Glad Mullens extended him. I think all Oregon fans will be very soon.
I agree with you. Since when does Losing to Oregon State (badly) and Washington gets you an extension in Eugene? As a beaver I'm glad Lanning will be here for awhile. I really like his in game decisions.
It's a win-win for the Beavs. If he's as good as they hope then it's years of a great rivalry. If he's as bad as we hope then it's years of Beavs domination. Go Beavs!
LOLOL...a little premature on your part too isn't it? one good OSU season is not a harbinger of great things to come. Oregon's been winning since 1995 give or take a couple sub par seasons...OSewe not so much.
That's not how this works. 🤣
oh sorry, I didn't read your rules first...my bad. ;-)
Could not disagree more. Waiting 3 years will be too late. They gave him a raise and more importantly, a much bigger buyout. He is recruiting with the big boy's and thats what it takes to win. As for his in game decisions, lets talk Huskies. Lanning had a defense last season that could not stop the pass. He made the decision that it is easier to gain one yard on 4th and one, than give the ball back to the Husky offense which we could not stop. I have no problem with decisions like that. He has balls and plays to win. Every coach makes decisions during the course of a season that they wish they had back. I'm sure Lanning does as well, but his decisions like the 4th and one were logical and defendable. Ther truth is, you take away a bad snap from center against the Huskies, and a dropped snap by the punter against OSU, and Oregon is at least a 12 win team. No need to wait 3 years. It's obvious that he is going to turn this program into a national power
The focus on his family is so welcome. Great read, John. Take it from an 80
Yr old, married 56 years to the love of my
life, with 5 happily married kids and 14 awe inspiring grandkids…it’s what life is really all about.
Well spoken, Bill
GO DAWGS
Love this.
Good for everyone, Oregon was once known for coaching longevity. Time for some portal dust to settle. Nice write up, John. We appreciate your effort, you'll be needing an extension your good. self one of these days. I vote "you bet!" Charlie
Happy for his family. Coaching is such a tough life for their wives and kids.
As a Beavs fan, and my desire for the Ducks to lose often, I am actually honestly happy that they are keeping Lanning. He is a great guy, and seems a perfect fit for UO.
It seems the PAC is extremely lucky, so many of the teams have perfect coaches. Utes with Whittingham, Beavis with Smith, ASU with Dillingham, UW with DeBoer, Stanford with Taylor....
The others are possibly great as well... If this keeps up, the Pac will be back on the map
As a Ducks fan, and my desire for the Beavs to lose to us every time, I am actually happy that OSU has Stewart as a coach. He's a class act that can hopefully raise the profile of the OSU program to new heights. Here's to looking forward to "civil war" games with real meaning in the future. Good luck in 2023.
John, Jonathan Smith is the OSU Fotball Head Coach. But, you knew that, right?
lol, cognitive flatulence on my part. Jonathon Stewart the Oregon RB somehow in my brain replaced Jonathan Smith the QB and now Coach at OSU. Senior moment.
I hope he sticks around for awhile. His Dad is correct; there are many, many things in life that are better than money. And the amount he's making in Eugene is not exactly chump change.
There aren't "many" things in life better than money, but there are a few things that are much more important. Lanning appears grounded - has his priorities right and I think he's very talented.
Remember, Mullens extended Helfrich when didn’t need to. Helf wasn’t being “mentioned” for any openings around the country. That ended badly. I’m hoping for improvement from Lanning and give him B- last year, but an extension wasn’t warranted at this time.
I agree, seems a bit premature to extend him now after some question marks last season. I would have waited until December.
I think Lanning grades out at a B for last season, but I'm not quibbling with your B-. You can't lose to Washington and Oregon State in the same season and call it anything higher than B... or, again, your B-. Especially when Oregon had those two games and Lanning's playcalling kicked them both away. I do, however, think Oregon made the right hire and did the right thing with the extension. Loyalty is a two-way street. Lanning's done his part. No b.s. talk about going back to the SEC or any other garbage that Taggart and Cristobal put the Ducks through. None from Lanning and there were opportunities.
If Lanning or Oregon football has any future problems it will be "fans" automatically considering any losses as games Oregon "had". So very predictable.
Glad you liked it. Anybody who saw it, and has a modicum of intellectual honesty, knows Oregon gave the Civil War game away.
Husky Fans like Lanning’s extension. Great family man, seems to be an individual of integrity, and a maker of questionable (read mediocre) calls when it matters
Sweet!
GO DAWGS
You guys seem to be fine with winning 3 out of the last 18 with Oregon.
Guess what - we'll take 15-3...talk about "sweet".
Guess what - the past is that, or are you not remembering the decades of prior Oregon irrelevance
(just having fun😎)
GO DAWGS
You're a good sport, David. Your Huskies made a great hire in Deboer - he's going to give the Pac-12 (10?), including Oregon, a lot of trouble for years to come. I think Lanning is going to give the Huskies all they can handle, too...it will be a great rivalry once again.
In the meantime your Huskies suck sewer water! (kidding you).
58-35-5 Washington BS “before streak”
HuskyTime is imminent - I can feel it!
GO DAWGS
Ducks are closing...Huskies are sniffing rear-ends.
Kinda dumb. Are you a Husky fan masquerading as a dux fan or....what?
Don’t suffer, fellow HuskyFan - we’re ready to take on all comers!
GO DAWGS
I think this is good for Oregon football. Lanning has room for improvement, but this gives him the opportunity to do that, and I think he is capable of it. I'm looking forward to this year, but more than that, I'm looking forward to seeing the team that he puts together over a span of years. It should be fun to watch!
You jumped all over this but why nothing about the Women's Sand Volleyball Team that is being completely ignored by Oregon and Rob Mullens.
Great article by James Crepa, Oregonlive. And as usual nothing in the University of Oregon newspaper, The Register Guard.
The Eugene Register Guard is technically no longer a newspaper. Its what you find on the floor outside your door if you stay in a motel.
David in Eugene, who delivered real newspapers from 5th grade thru college.
You want to see a newspaper that has truly fallen on its face - look no further than the Oregonian. Once one of the great newspapers on the West Coast, they have now become a laughingstock tabloid available 4 days a week. And, they deserve becoming nothing more than dog poop-bags.
David,
I was an RG carrier as well. I began delivering when it was an afternoon paper. Do you remember those days?
Very sad to see the R G’s demise.
I actually grew up in Iowa and delivered the Des Moines Register, a morning paper.
In college I was the guy who delivered the paper to all the carriers in town.
The Des Moines Register is still a viable, first class newspaper which does what the Framers wanted the press to do - be skeptical of government and protect the people.
Hanging out with the SataesmanJournal in Salem.
Yeah, we get a lot of Statesman Journal produced work in The Eugene paper. Mabe it should be called the Statesman Register Journal Guard. That would cost extra ink, though.
Or maybe USA Yesterday.
StatesmanJournal
Beach Volleyball is, and should be, a club sport. It's tiring to listen to the "aggrieved" suggest they're getting slighted because of inadequate athletic department funding. You really want to complain about something - how about the elimination of Men's Wrestling, which at one time was big at Oregon. O.K., some sacrifices have to be made in men's athletics to support Title IX and give women an equal opportunity. I support that. Women should have precisely the same opportunity as men. But, please, Beach Volleyball? That's flat embarrassing. Provide more funding to other school athletics that both men and women participate in and have equal opportunities - not some made-up nonsense that has no more importance than Shuttlecock or Ping Pong. Please.
Why flat embarrassin? You can include wrestling in your embarrassment
My granddaughter wrestles in high school. She wouldn't agree with your assessment of wrestling.
If you want to play Beach Volleyball be my guest. But fund it yourself and stop begging for money from the current Men's and Women's athletic department. Where does it end - dwarf tossing?
The Lanning kids look great in Duckwear! I’m no psychic, but I really believe this is a good man and coach who can build a solid winner and end the revolving door nonsense in Eugene. I’ve been impressed with his leadership, even given a few mistakes in game situations. OU is fortunate as is OSU. Good luck to both of them!
why is Oklahoma fortunate? OU??? Oregon is UO...just sayin.
Thanks. Crappy typist.
This is good news for all the reasons you've written about here. I'm very happy for Lanning and his family - football families deserve some longevity, roots and community.
I think Lanning is going to be a fine coach. His recruiting is already outstanding - elite level. His energy level is second to none and that's critical in college football today. I love his intensity - it's at the Kirby Smart/Nick Saban level. Now he needs to prove it on the field. The Ducks had a good season last year under Lanning - a good season, not a great one. You don't lose to Oregon State and Washington in the same year and call it anything more than a decent season if you win ten of your other eleven games. He did beat Utah, which USC couldn't do in two tries. Bottom line - I don't see anybody in the Pac-12 (10?) that I'd rather have coaching the Ducks. Very happy for Lanning and his family...but also happy for Ducks fans.
I'm going to go out on a limb to say that I predict Lanning will stay in Eugene, at least until his youngest son is out of high school. In the photo, I'm guessing he's around 10--so that could be all of this extended contract and possibly one more after that.
In just one year of coaching at Oregon, he's created amazing chemistry with his players. I'm looking forward to seeing many, many Civil War battles between the Ducks and Beavers!
32 days until the Pac-12 season starts!
GO BEAVS!!!
👍👍👍
As a long ago military brat , I can assure you the Lannings will enjoy being ‘settled in’.
Mind you, I had lived in places my world history teacher had only vaguely heard of 😊