Dan Lanning has helped guide Georgia's defense to the top of the college football ranks. Oregon is hoping he is ready to take the step and lead an entire program.
Lanning is slated to become the next head coach in Eugene, replacing Mario Cristobal, who left to fill the Miami (Fla.) coaching vacancy, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Saturday.
The college football world has taken a wild ride on the coaching carousel since the final week of the regular season, with names like Lincoln Riley and Brian Kelly leaving their schools for new programs. Georgia will now be tasked with finding a new defensive coordinator for the 2022 campaign.
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But will the Bulldogs have to start their search ahead of the Orange Bowl on Dec. 31, when they face Michigan in the College Football Playoff?
Will Dan Lanning coach in the CFP?
There are a number of interim coaches in this season's bowl games, but Georgia will not have to worry about replacing Lanning.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said in a statement Saturday that Lanning will coach with the Bulldogs against the Wolverines, although he noted that Glenn Schumann and Will Muschamp will serve as co-defensive coordinators.
"We are so happy for Dan and his family. He and (Lanning's wife) 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. Opportunities like this are a testament to a successful program," Smart said in the statement. "Dan and I are both looking forward to preparing for the CFP."
Kirby Smart reacts to Dan Lanning’s hiring at Oregon. #GoDawgs #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/CN7WAkkR1z
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) December 11, 2021
Under Lanning, Georgia has the best scoring defense in the nation at 9.5 points allowed per game and its total defense ranks second behind Wisconsin at 253.2 yards allowed per game.
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Lanning has been the Bulldogs' outside linebackers coach since 2018. Georgia added defensive coordinator to his duties in 2019.
Smart was in a similar position in 2015, when, as Alabama's defensive coordinator, he was offered the head coaching position at Georgia. Smart coached the Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff despite already having been announced as the Bulldogs' new coach. Alabama went on to win the national championship, beating Michigan State 38-0 in the Cotton Bowl and Clemson 45-40 in the title game.
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Who will coach Oregon in the Ducks' bowl game?
Lanning might be sticking around Athens, but Cristobal is already heading to Miami.
Oregon announced that Bryan McClendon, the team's pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach, will be the interim coach for the Valero Alamo Bowl. The No. 14 Ducks will play No. 16 Oklahoma on Dec. 29.
"We appreciate Coach McClendon agreeing to accept a leadership role in providing the best possible bowl experience for our student-athletes," Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens said. "His previous experience as an interim head coach is valuable for our program as we prepare for the Alamo Bowl, and we are grateful for his willingness to step up and assume this responsibility for Oregon football."
McClendon was Georgia's interim coach for the 2016 Tax Slayer Bowl, right before Smart took over the program.