The Lesson That Shaped a Champion: Dan Lanning’s Secret to Success.
When it comes to coaching, Dan Lanning is his own man. But there’s one lesson he learned from his time under the legendary Nick Saban that has stuck with him to this day: consistency. Lanning, the Oregon coach, spent a year under Saban’s tutelage at Alabama in 2015, and it was during that time that he picked up a valuable lesson that has helped shape his own coaching style.
“Consistency” is more than just a buzzword for Lanning. It’s a mindset that has helped him build a winning culture at Oregon. According to Lanning, Saban’s consistency was evident in every aspect of his coaching, from the way he met with position groups to the way he developed leadership in young players.
Lanning recalled Saban’s approach, saying, “On Tuesday, I’m gonna meet with this position group at this time.” This level of planning and consistency is something that Lanning admires and has incorporated into his own coaching style. While Lanning’s approach may not be identical to Saban’s, he acknowledges the value of learning from the best.
For Lanning, it’s not about copying someone else’s style, but about learning from the best and adapting those lessons to fit his own approach. As he told Greg McElroy on the “Always College Football” podcast, “It’s always good to take a backseat, pick his brain a little bit on how is it developing leadership in young guys.”
Lanning certainly has seen a track record for success. The Ducks are coming off a Big Ten title, and the coach has an impressive 35-6 overall record in three seasons. It’s clear that the lessons he learned from Saban have paid off. Lanning’s ability to build a winning culture at Oregon is a testament to the power of consistency and planning.
The results speak for themselves. Oregon’s success under Lanning is no fluke. The coach’s commitment to consistency and planning has helped him build a team that is capable of competing at the highest level. And it’s clear that Lanning’s experience under Saban has had a lasting impact on his coaching style. Lanning’s admiration for Saban’s approach is evident. “I’m always gonna lean on the best to do it when it comes to things like that,” Lanning said. And for him, Saban is the gold standard. By learning from the best and adapting those lessons to fit his own approach, Lanning has been able to achieve remarkable success at Oregon.
In the end, it’s clear that the lessons Lanning learned from Saban have had a lasting impact on his coaching style. Consistency, planning, and a commitment to excellence are just a few of the key takeaways that have helped Lanning build a winning culture at Oregon. As the coach continues to lead the Ducks, it’s clear that the lessons he learned from Saban will remain an important part of his approach.
