Oregon’s 2025 Success Could Leave Dan Lanning in a Difficult Position originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Oregon Ducks and head coach Dan Lanning are gearing up for an exciting 2025 season, when not only are they expected to make a push for a Big Ten title, but also the national championship.
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However, if the program were able to achieve some of these lofty goals, it could end in Coach Lanning scrambling to replace one of the most prominent members of the Oregon coaching staff.
Oregon’s OC Could Be Leaving
On3’s Art Staples, tabbed offensive coordinator Will Stein, who’s been with Oregon since 2023, as someone who could be in line for a head coaching position once the season concludes.
“Stein has succeeded with Bo Nix at quarterback,” Staples wrote. “He’s succeeded with Dillon Gabriel at QB. If he lights it up with Dante Moore, Ducks coach Dan Lanning may have to find a new OC because some school will want to rub a little of that any-QB-can-post-huge-numbers magic on their program.”
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Oregon Ducks offensive coordinator Will Stein.Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
2025 Is a Huge Test for Oregon
In the past two seasons with Stein, Oregon’s offense has been impressive, finishing 2023 ranked second in points per game (44.2) and 17th in 2024 (34.9).
However, they achieved those numbers with quarterbacks in Nix and Gabriel who already had years of experience starting at the collegiate level. That’s going to be a major change in 2025 with Moore.
In fact, Moore’s only noteworthy numbers came as a freshman for the UCLA Bruins in 2023, when he completed 114 of 213 passes for 1,610 yards, 11 touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 125.6 passing efficiency rating. Last year, he rarely played at Oregon, completing 7 of 8 passes for 49 yards.
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With a rather inexperienced quarterback to manage, Stein’s ability to help the offense produce at a high level will be challenged.
Stein’s Coaching Success Extends Beyond the Ducks
Before his time in Oregon, Stein spent three years with the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners (2020 to 2022), holding multiple positions, including wide receivers coach, passing game coordinator and co-offensive coordinator in 2022.
During that 2022 season, UTSA’s offense was great, ranking 14th in points per game (36.8) and 12th in total yards per game (476). Once he departed for Oregon in 2023, the Roadrunners’ numbers took a big dip, tying for 33rd in points per game (31.9) and ranking 36th in total yards per game (421.6).
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With years of proven success at multiple levels in college football, it’s not much of a surprise that Stein could be a coveted target next offseason. His possible exit would create a challenging situation for Lanning.
Related: Greg McElroy Reveals Biggest Concern for Penn State This Year
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
