Dan Lanning is proving why he’s one of the hottest names in CFB. At just 38, he’s led Oregon to a stellar 35-6 record, including a B1G title, and a perfect 13-0 regular season in the Ducks’ 1st year in the conference. On top of that, Oregon even climbed to No. 1 in the rankings for the 1st time since 2012. And his 35 wins rank second-most by any FBS coach in their first 3 seasons. As of now, with all that success, the payday was inevitable. Well, Lanning, who made $8.2 million in 2024, just secured a massive contract restructure, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the game.

However, Dan Lanning’s new deal is making waves, locking him in at an average of $11 million per year through 2030. But not everyone is convinced. Some are asking, “Why is Dan Lanning getting paid? Nobody was coming after him this past offseason.” Here, on a recent episode of On3, J.D. PicKell explained why Oregon made the right move. “I would remind you, the year before, A&M—he shuts that down. I don’t know if that was actually anything that was real, but he just says, ‘I’m not taking the A&M job.’ Alabama doesn’t allow that to have any legs either when that job becomes available when Nick Saban retires,” said Pickell.

Then comes the real reason this was a smart play by Oregon. “And the reason why I think this was a good move by Oregon is—how many times have you been the bridesmaid, not the bride? How many times have you been what people would label a stepping-stone job? And this is not to attack Oregon. This is just, like, the track record. Mario Cristobal does well at Oregon, goes to Miami. And now that was, you know, obviously home for him, so it’s hard to blame the guy, but that’s what happened. Willie Taggart leaves for Florida State. Chip Kelly before them leaves for the NFL,” stated the national reporter.

Safe to say, Oregon wasn’t about to let history repeat itself. This time they made sure their guy stayed put. And with a $66 million commitment, it’s clear—a historic shift is underway in Eugene. Look, Oregon is no longer just a stepping stone for head coaches. And now, it’s the destination, and J.D. PicKell summed it up best.

“Like, there was almost this perception around the Oregon job of, ‘Hey, you can have success there, but once you have success, you’ll have a chance to take a quote-unquote bigger job.’ Y’all, for Oregon to say, ‘We’re not even going to entertain that idea of that happening. We’re going to make sure we put up a freaking moat around Dan Lanning financially so nobody can come take him.’ More power to Dan Lanning. More power to Oregon. I think this is a tremendous move,” said PicKell. Honestly, the message is loud and clear—Oregon is playing for keeps.

While some may question the hefty price tag, J.D. PicKell had a different focus—Lanning’s unwavering loyalty to Oregon. And PicKell made it clear that this deal isn’t just about money; it’s about commitment. “Also, I think it’s worth noting that Dan Lanning has been committed to Oregon. Like, even outside of the strategy of this, I just like that Oregon made a point to take care of someone who’s doing a good job. Like, that’s what good companies do, right? Have some good faith,” said PicKell.

Let’s be real—Oregon isn’t just locking in a coach; they’re investing in a dynasty. But according to Pickell, there’s more to this massive payday and Lanning’s future than meets the eye.

Is Dan Lanning in contention for the national title?

Oregon didn’t just throw money at Lanning—they made a statement. Sure, the extra $2 million wasn’t a necessity, but it cements loyalty and builds a future. Pickell, however, sees an even bigger picture. “I also appreciate that Oregon did this before they’ve reached the mountaintop,” he said. “And this is like my most tired talking point around Dan Lanning, but I think it’s factual. I think it’s relevant, so we’ll revisit it one more time. And I truly believe that it’s a matter of when, not if, he wins a national title at Oregon. I really feel that way,” said the On3 insider.

Oregon isn’t just a contender—they’re on the brink of something special. And PicKell sees the vision loud and clear. “Oregon has the resources. He’s proven he’s one of the best head coaches in the sport. Now he’s getting paid like it. The guy’s 35-6 in three years. They’ve only gotten better since he’s gotten that job. The roster has only gotten better as well, so he knows what he’s doing there,” said PicKell.

And when it comes to Oregon’s losses, context matters. Dan Lanning isn’t falling short against just anyone—he’s battling the best. Well, five of Lanning’s six losses came against coaches with national title experience. DeBoer, Smart, and Day aren’t lightweights, and neither is Oregon. As of now, this team is closer to a championship than people think.