Oregon is hiring Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning as its new head coach, according to multiple reports on Saturday.
The 35-year-old Lanning has been with the Bulldogs for the last four seasons, serving as defensive coordinator for the past three.
Oregon hasn’t made an official announcement but reports indicated that the players were informed of the hire on Saturday.
Regardless, Georgia coach Kirby Smart confirmed that Lanning was leaving.
“We are so happy for Dan and his family. He and Sauphia have been an important part of our Bulldog family for the last four years, and we thank them for all they did for Georgia Football and the Athens community,” Smart said in a statement. “Opportunities like this are a testament to a successful program.
“While he will coach with us for the upcoming College Football Playoff, we will move forward with Glenn Schumann and Will Muschamp as co-defensive coordinators. Dan and I are both looking forward to preparing for the CFP.”
The No. 3 Bulldogs play No. 2 Michigan on Dec. 31 in the CFP semifinals.
Lanning replaces Mario Cristobal, who departed Oregon to coach at Miami, his alma mater.
BYU coach Kalani Sitake and Cal coach Justin Wilcox were in the mix and the Ducks also reportedly asked UCLA for permission to speak to Chip Kelly, a former Ducks’ coach.
Instead, it was Lanning who got the job even though he hasn’t previously been a head coach.
He had stops at Pittsburgh, Arizona State, Sam Houston, Alabama and Memphis before landing at Georgia.
The Bulldogs had an elite defense this season but were torched 41-24 by Alabama in the SEC title game on Dec. 4.
Still, Georgia leads the nation in scoring defense (9.5 points per game) and ranks second in total defense (254.4 yards per game).
In a unique twist, Lanning’s first game as Oregon coach will be against in the Bulldogs in Atlanta on Sept. 3.
Receivers coach Bryan McClendon will serve as interim coach of the No. 14 Ducks for the Alamo Bowl matchup against No. 16 Oklahoma on Dec. 29.
Oregon (10-3) lost to Utah in the Pac-12 title game on Dec. 3 in Cristobal’s final game as coach.
–Field Level Media