OREGON DREAM SEASON CONTINUES @ #1

The Oregon dream season at #1 in the nation continues.

In what was called an introductory season in the Big 10, with low expectations playing against the traditional powerhouses of college football, has turned into a dream season.

The other teams in the conference know the drill.

Oregon would have to work their way in slowly, maybe five seasons, to get used to things.

But, the Ducks adapted faster than expected.

#1 ranking is no accident, fluke, or a one off.

Whatever happens from here on out won’t take away from the ride so far.

What’s it like?

Every weekend is a scouting weekend where Oregon fans watch their team win, then watch the other top teams knowing Oregon could beat them.

That’s not how it used to be.

There were the good teams, then teams like Oregon.

The Ducks were good enough to beat most teams, but could not get over the final hurdle first with Auburn then with Ohio State, in the national championship game.

Ten years after their last appearance, and loss, the Ducks feel different.

 

What’s The Difference

Coach Dan Lanning is the right man for Oregon.

In the era of NIL, he’s found a way to connect with players from everywhere.

He’s convinced them the Oregon Dream Season is within their reach.

Other coaches have given it a shot and left, or been dismissed.

They all had their dream job beyond Oregon, either in the NFL, their hometown college, or the college they played for.

So long, suckers.

I hope Lanning goes long in Eugene, like fifteen years long.

He’s a former coordinator who was elevated to the top spot. And he hasn’t faded in the spotlight.

Some people aren’t emotionally ready for the bright lights, and they’re shining bright and hot on Lanning.

How bright? How hot?

 

Oregon Dream Season Draws Attention

Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, needs help.

Like the Mighty Ducks, the Cowboys have been cycling through coaches since their last big years in the early and mid-90’s.

That’s when Jerry decided he wasn’t getting enough run for Super Bowl victories in three out of four years.

That’s when he fired the architect of the last Cowboy dynasty, Jimmy Johnson.

Now he’s got a retread head coach, and not for the first time.

Now he’s looking for an answer to the perennial question about the Cowboys, ‘Why do we suck?’

Mr. Jones is the owner and General Manager of the Cowboys.

 

He answers directly to the owner and has final veto power on all player-related decisions the team makes. Job responsibilities include hiring the head coach, building the remainder of the personnel department staff, coordinating the rubric for scouting college prospects and compiling the team’s roster in accordance to the NFL’s salary cap.

Clearly, the general manager can’t possibly handle all of these tasks personally. He divvies up the labor amongst his other front office staffers, but the general manager ultimately is accountable for all of the team’s personnel decisions.

Jerry needs help, but doesn’t see his role in the problem.

He answers directly to himself? And his son is the executive vice president and chief operating officer?

Maybe the problem is treating the most valuable sports franchise in the world like a family business where feelings matter more than results.

 

The Cowboys haven’t returned to the NFC Championship Game since 1995, and the Jones family is often pointed to as the reason for those shortcomings. That being the case, it would be a wise move by Stephen to hire a GM. But given the way their family operates; he’s most likely going to emulate his father.

 

The Oregon Way

The Ducks have their guy and he is our guy, the fan’s guy.

How long will he stick around?

 

Here’s why I hope Dan Lanning stays with Oregon and avoids a place like Dallas with Jerry Jones;

Jones is not coach-friendly because he knows more about football than anyone.

Jones is not player friendly when he lets his biggest stars dangle on contract extensions.

James is not quarterback friendly.

As General Manager he should have let Tony Romo go sooner than later, but he was good enough.

He should let Dak go instead of turning him into Romo 2.

Let’s hope Lanning doesn’t go the Cowboy route with the Jones family.

He looks like a Eugene guy, so he’s the right fit.

He’s got enough fire and brimstone to get his Ducks fired up to win in a new way week after week.

With the success he’s had this year, so far, he’ll have the recruiting pipeline full for the next few years.

Let’s hope his family roots grow so deep in Eugene that he stays as long as he wants, as long as Phil Knight n needs him.

Most important I hope he stays as long as he can because the Duck fans need him.

One Oregon dream season could turn into an Oregon dynasty for the rest of the decade.

Who wouldn’t want to see how that turns out?

I would. Anyone else?