22 Comments
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Don Lanning's avatar

This is the son we raised. He is an honest, loving, sincere man. A great husband, dad, son, and coach (I think being a coach incorporates skills from all those areas.) His word is true and reliable. When he says he loves you, he means it in the truest sense. His priorities in life are family/people centered. There’s no one I’d rather have in my corner. The University of Oregon is blessed to have him, and I know he feels blessed to be there. I do expect there to be great success on the football field, but the greatest successes will be the relationships he makes and the men he builds.

Thank you for this thoughtful article.

Our entire family in Missouri look forward to many many years of being passionate Duck fans.

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Joshua Trickel's avatar

You raised a fantastic young man and you should be proud. I'm a loyal ducks fan and I'm a disabled army vet. I've been around tragedy in my 10 and a half year army career and men like your son made it barrable to move on and move forward.

I am a fan of your son win or lose at Oregon. You did it right Dad and Mom Lanning. Thank you for sharing your Son with us, the people of Oregon

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John Ragsdale's avatar

Don, it appears you did a good job. I’m not a huge Ducks fan but when he was named head coach I now feel the need to root for them. After all, he went to my alma mater…WJC class of ‘81😁

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Stephen Grant's avatar

It is hard to root against the Ducks when they have a coach like this. Quit making life so difficult. 😂 #beaverbeliever

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Tim Monterossi's avatar

Lanning is a winner before one snap of football has taken place. Win or lose, this is the kind of guy I’d want coaching my son. Life > ball.

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Barbara Cameron's avatar

Sad week indeed but very glad that Coach Lanning is at the helm of the ship going forward. Thanks for the heart of your reporting, John.

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MJK0703's avatar

It HAS been a really rough week for our Ducks. I pray for better days ahead and soon.

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Hester's avatar

Well said; well written. Good reminder.

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Grant's dad's avatar

That was one of your better columns. Well done.

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Dave Falk's avatar

Right-on John

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Mark Gilman's avatar

Amazing how real life seems to crop up. These are the sorts of columns that remind us all that being a person is what matters most. I hope everyone takes this to heart.

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Earl Liebich's avatar

Well said John

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Richard Cohan's avatar

Once again....well done John.

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MJK0703's avatar

It has been a very rough week for our Ducks. I pray for better days ahead. They deserve that.

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Mark D Sanchez's avatar

John... if Coach Lanning can extend his human values into wins on the field the Ducks will have made a soft landing after Mario Cristobal.

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David Grau Sr.'s avatar

As much as Mario Cristobol seemed like a dinosaur and a throw back at times (actually most of the time!), Coach Lanning and his generation may well usher in a new era of thinking. Problem is, life balance in a job that comes with million dollar paychecks and expectations only works in college football if it translates into a high level of success on Saturdays. Here's hoping that it does.

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Al Coats's avatar

Amen brother!

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Stephan Tobin's avatar

Great column, John. I have always liked your columns that go beyond sports and are about people. Your comments about are touching. A truly tragic occurrence. And your comments about Dan Lanning make me hopeful for Ducks football and the young men under his tutelage. He's sure a far cry from Chip Kelly, right? Someone for whom nothing seemed to matter except football.

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