It’s not just an event invader, Dan Lanning. In college football circles, Lanning, the 3rd-year Oregon coach, is hailed as a genius. With a perfect 8-0 record, the Ducks’ head coach remains at the top of the national rankings as reported by the AC Poll. Even though he has an “L” in his name, he never takes any on or off the field. Before delving into his success story, one person always springs to mind. Yes, his wife, Sophia Vorngsam Lanning. 

Sixteen years ago, Dan Lanning and Sophia met in a relatively unremarkable yet memorable place—an Outback Steakhouse, to be exact! While she was attending Northwest Missouri State University, the now head coach worked as a server. After falling in love right away, the couple married in 2009 and began a family that now consists of three boys: Caden, Kniles, and Titan.

Each of the three lads takes an active part in a variety of sports. Although no substance is publicly available about their individual sports, they have developed a deep love for sports, probably as a result of their father’s work. However, they are not just engaged in athletics but also actively take part in worthwhile initiatives that link sports to individual and community ideals. They contributed to the creation of a unique uniform for the Oregon Ducks’ “Stomp Out Cancer” initiative. Each son provided design suggestions that were integrated into the uniforms, demonstrating their involvement in family– and community-focused initiatives.

However, without his wife’s support, this head coach would not be able to manage his coaching career and raise his son to be so valuable. Even more pitiful is the fact that she already fought an inside battle with cancer. Sophia’s diagnosis with osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer, in 2017 was one of the most difficult periods the family had to deal with. It was an unthinkable blow to the family.

Dan Lanning’s wife’s fight against cancer

Sophia revealed the mental and physical cost that cancer imposed on her in a conversation, calling the journey “unbearable.“ Several exhausting cycles of chemotherapy were part of her treatment. After that, Dan’s outlook on life changed, establishing his mentality. “Made you grow in your faith. You’re on your knees every night praying,” he remarked.

If you are unaware, Lanning always puts his family first despite the demanding nature of collegiate football, and Sophia has supported him no matter what. Speaking of Sophia’s strength, Lanning came down in tears during a news conference, saying, “It’s hard for you to realize the sacrifices that your family deal with in the coaching world. And Sophia has been our head coach at home for so long, and she’s worn so many hats.” It seems like Dan was a rock during Sophia’s struggle, frequently putting his family before football and even skipping practices and meetings. Thankfully, Sophia had no cancer. Hope this family has a long and happy life.