Why did Dan Lanning not replace Nick Saban? Oregon HC reveals thought process behind the decision

Oregon FC Dan Lanning has explained why he didn't opt to replace Nick Saban, who's known for producing the best talent, be it the top coaches, numerous Heisman Trophy winners and many national championship-worthy teams.

During his 17-year tenure at Alabama, Saban groomed many talents like Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin, Georgia's Kirby Smart and Oregon's Dan Lanning. When the news of coach Saban's retirment emerged, many expected Lanning to be his successor owing to his rich coaching history and ties with Alabama, but Lanning decided to stay at Oregon and continue building his program.

During a conversation with Joel Klatt, Dan Lanning talked about his decision to not go for the Alabama coaching job:

"I think it's more about what exists here. And for me, you know, this is the first time in my career, I feel like I'm somewhere where I could be for a really, really long time for my family, and that's probably number one right with my kids, who lived in eight states. I also can never take for granted that Oregon took a chance on me, and that means a lot to me.

"There's there's things that I want to accomplish here that I haven't accomplished yet, that I feel indebted to this program, and the people that you know support this program that I want to be able to get and create here. So I never like leaving a place where I feel like there's more left on the table, and there's a lot left on the table here in Oregon." (3:50)

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Dan Lanning's thought about matchups in the Big Ten

Oregon will be competing in the Big Ten conference following the demise of Pac-12 in college football realignment.

Lanning's crew will be facing some challenges heading into its first year in the conference due to the added travel time, weather changes and facing new teams like Michigan.

During the Big Ten media days, Lanning weighed in on what he thinks will be the major changes going into the 2024 college football season:

"The reality of winning football when you're a team like Oregon and the position you want to put yourself at the end of the year, you've got to win in the trenches at the end of the year, not just in the middle of the year, ..." Lanning said at Big Ten media days, via Autenzoo.

"A lot of people ask me, what's different about going to the Big Ten? I hear it's a lot more physical."

Fans will be intersted to see how Dan Lanning's Oregon performs in the Big Ten conferences and if secure a national championship title in 2024.