It comes as no shock, however Oregon Geese head coach Dan Lanning is having to mud off his Rolodex and undergo the hiring course of as soon as once more this 12 months, following the now introduced departure of offensive coordinator Will Stein.
It was introduced on Monday afternoon that Stein will likely be accepting the Kentucky Wildcats head teaching place, returning residence the place he grew up. The expectation is that Stein will stick with Oregon all through the Faculty Soccer Playoff after which be a part of the Wildcats as soon as the season ends for the Geese.
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With Stein being one of many high play-callers and quarterback builders within the nation, his departure for a head teaching job comes as no shock. Nonetheless, it does depart the Geese with numerous inquiries to reply over the subsequent couple of days, weeks, and past.
Listed below are among the most urgent issues for Oregon to deal with and take note of over the subsequent few weeks:
Who’s Subsequent at OC?
Texas Tech offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich seems on throughout warmups earlier than a Large 12 Convention soccer sport, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Clearly, the highest query is about who replaces Stein as the subsequent play-caller for the Geese. There are a variety of names to know, and a few premium {qualifications} wanted that ought to be thought-about. If we have discovered something about Lanning throughout these hiring processes over the previous couple of years, it is that he’ll take massive swings and have a tendency to intention for a youthful rent with a ton of upside.
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We’ve got a listing of potential candidates so that you can view right here.
There’s an opportunity that the Geese select to maintain issues in-house and promote somebody like Ra’Shaad Samples or Drew Mehringer, however it feels extra possible that Lanning goes exterior and will get one of many high names available on the market. There isn’t any denying, at this level, that the Geese’ OC job is among the many most coveted coordinator jobs within the nation, with the final two occupants happening to land Energy 4 jobs. It is clear that Lanning goes to have his decide of the litter right here.
Who Follows Stein to Kentucky?
Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein, left, former Oregon defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti and former Oregon coach Wealthy Brooks discuss earlier than the sport because the Preventing Geese face off in opposition to Mighty Oregon within the Oregon Geese spring sport on April 26, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene.
Each time you’ve gotten teaching motion, the subsequent query turns into who follows? Will Stein has each a training employees and a roster to fill out in Kentucky now, each of which he can partially do by selling guys from Eugene. Does Stein tab somebody like TE coach Drew Mehringer as his subsequent offensive coordinator? Does he deliver over Austin Novosad or Luke Moga within the switch portal and make him his subsequent beginning QB? What number of analysts and assistants observe Stein to Lexington in an effort to get extra distinguished roles? It isn’t as if Stein goes to intestine Lanning’s employees in an effort to create his personal, as the 2 have an excellent relationship and can possible undergo an amicable break up, however it’s truthful to assume that there are not less than a handful of coaches and gamers who will observe Stein to Kentucky.
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What Does Dante Moore Do?
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore throws a go because the Oregon Geese tackle the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington.
One of many largest questions of all for Oregon to reply over the approaching month has to do with Dante Moore and what his future plans are. All through the season, it has been effectively documented that Moore is unlikely to declare for the 2026 NFL draft and as an alternative return to Eugene for one more 12 months of improvement and progress. Does that change now that he has to take care of a brand new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach? My preliminary response is that Moore continues to be going to stay round for one more 12 months, as he is aware of that he nonetheless wants extra improvement earlier than leaving for the NFL, however with out Stein by his facet at Oregon, it is a truthful query to ask.
Does This Influence Nationwide Signing Day?
Oregon Geese dominate the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 69-3, at Autzen Stadium. (Basic)
Whereas Will Stein has all the time been considered a fantastic offensive coordinator and play-caller, he is a superb recruiter as effectively. So, with the early signing interval simply two days away, how does this affect recruiting? 4-star QB Bryson Beaver has already come out and stated that he’s not altering something in relation to signing with the Geese, and it is truthful to assume that different offensive gamers will really feel the identical. The Geese do an excellent job of recruiting as a employees, moderately than having one or two lead recruiters, making an attempt to guard in opposition to this very situation. I do not imagine we’ll see any flips or decommitments due to Stein’s departure.
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How Does Stein Stability the CFP?
Jan 1, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Detailed view of Oregon Geese Faculty Soccer Playoff scarves previous to the 2015 Rose Bowl faculty soccer sport at Rose Bowl. Necessary Credit score: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports activities
When Dan Lanning was employed at Oregon, he was allowed to remain on because the defensive coordinator at Georgia all through the Faculty Soccer Playoff, and he gained a nationwide championship. Will Stein now has the identical alternative at Oregon. Will he be as profitable?
It is a massive ask, and I am not speaking about profitable a nationwide championship. I imply, it is so much to ask of Stein to remain on because the OC for Oregon, put together for probably 4 extra playoff video games, all whereas making an attempt to construct his teaching employees, recruit, and formulate his roster at Kentucky. I am not doubting that he can do it, or insinuating that his manufacturing at Oregon goes to lower by any means, however I feel it’s truthful to query how all of that is going to play out over the subsequent month so far as delegation goes. Stein simply had so much shoved onto his plate as the most recent head coach in faculty soccer. Can he handle that whereas making an attempt to assist lead Oregon to a championship?
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This text initially appeared on Geese Wire: 5 questions for Oregon Geese to reply after Will Stein’s departure
