Dan Lanning’s stock is rising like crazy. A 5-0 streak into the season, with the celebrated White Out win over Penn State at Beaver Stadium, Lanning has once again cemented his position among the best coaches in college football. Since 2023, he has led all the head coaches with 25 wins and an 89.3 winning percentage. Given his stock, it’s no wonder he comes across a potential candidate for job openings. But his alleged secret deal with a $34B super donor might drown the hopes of programs vying to secure him.

Last season, Lanning won the Big Ten championship title, and the Ducks erupted in cheers. Eugene was eager to pay him handsomely when they extended his contract in March. “Oregon’s football has reached historic heights under Dan’s leadership,” AD Rob Mullens had said. A contract extended till 2030, with an annual increase of $2 million, culminating in a delicious $12 million chunk (per Ross Dellenger).

“Dan’s not leaving Oregon,” Josh Pate said in a conversation with Colin Cowherd on Wednesday. “He’s not leaving Oregon because at Oregon, it’s the only place where you have a deal with the school, and you’ve got a separate deal with Phil Knight basically.” It’s no secret that the Ducks are known as the ‘Nike University’. Investing heavily in infrastructure, players, and the hefty NIL deals. The dedication to recruit elite talent and pay them handsomely has recently led to the “Mike Gundy’ episode.

But now, Pate has hinted towards Lanning’s separate deal with Nike Co-founder ‘Uncle Phil’, as he is popularly known at Eugene. It definitely doesn’t look like the head coach will depart anytime soon. “Every morning I wake up grateful and hungry to represent Oregon, “Lanning had said back in March. Uncle Phil was all smiles when the Ducks won the conference title. “After we won the Big Ten championship, and seeing him and knowing how special that moment was for him,” the head coach had said to the Oregon Ducks on SI. “After a bowl win. Him being in the locker room with us after games.”

Pate continued. “I mean, we talk about buyouts all the time, and typically you’re talking about, oh, it’s going to cost 8 million, 10 million, 12 million. When you really understand Dan Lanning’s life there, you’re talking about a $40 to $50 million buyout. No one’s willing to hit that, nor should they.” Lanning’s buyout talk seems crazy with Phil Knight’s presence. He is one of the wealthiest individuals, with an estimated valuation of $45 billion (per Forbes). Over the years, Knight has donated more $1 billion to his alma mater.

Phil Knight ran track at Oregon in the 1950s, and like any other proud alum, he wants his program to be the winningest. “The cofounder of Nike desperately wanted his beloved Oregon Ducks to win a national championship before he died,” Armen Keteyian and John Talty wrote in their book, ‘The Price: What it takes to win in College Football’s era of chaos.’

Meanwhile, Dan Lannings’ stock is rising.

Is Dan Lanning switching to the NFL?

Last season, Alabama tried to pursue him. Lanning’s response? “The grass isn’t always greener. In fact, the grass is damn green in Eugene.” This season? Given that college football has already fired four head coaches, there is always a lacuna. But will Lanning leave Oregon? Aside from college football, his success at Eugene has reached the NFL GMs, with his demand skyrocketing. “Dan Lanning is getting NFL pop this January,” The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue wrote on X. ” Like it or hate it, he is. Especially if he’s bringing his coordinators.”

Over the last three seasons, Lanning led the program to a 35-6 streak, a record in itself, with the third-most wins among the FBS head coaches. Add to that, Lanning has become the most successful head coach in the history of the Ducks in his three seasons. And let’s not forget the historic win against the 2024 National champion Ohio State Buckeyes in front of 60,129 fans in Autzen Stadium.

Knights’ contributions have certainly helped in landing talent for the program. Oregon flipped No. 3 cornerback Na’eem Offord from Ohio State and hauled in No. 1 wide receiver Dakorien Moore. For the next recruiting class, the prep is in full gear. Already received a pledge from Kendre Harrison and Kodi Greene.