When Dan Lanning stepped into the head coaching role at Oregon in 2022, he inherited a program with a proud winning tradition. From Mike Bellotti's foundation to the high-flying Chip Kelly era, and through the tenures of Mark Helfrich and Mario Cristobal, the Ducks have long been accustomed to success. So, it wasn't a shock to fans when Lanning began talking about national championship aspirations—that's the Oregon way. But what has changed is how close the Ducks are getting to that ultimate prize.

Under Lanning's leadership, Oregon has inched closer to the national title game each season. Now, as the 2026 campaign approaches, the Ducks enter as one of the favorites, powered by quarterback Dante Moore and a deep roster of seasoned veterans. But what's the biggest shift since Lanning took the reins? Ahead of the annual spring game last month, he took a moment to reflect on just how far his team has evolved.

"It's certainly different," Lanning said. "I think it starts with player standards. You come in as a coach and say, 'Here's the things I want us to be about.' Now, you see the players saying, 'Here's the things we want to be about.' That resonates."

That ownership has been fueled by tangible success. In four years under Lanning, Oregon has produced 31 NFL Draft picks—a dramatic leap from the 14 selections in the four years before his arrival. When players see their teammates reach the NFL, buying into Lanning's vision becomes easy. They begin to coach themselves, taking collective ownership of the program's direction.

"We have a group where it's not just coaches on the field," Lanning added. "It's players who are coaches on the field, operating at a really, really high level. But every year is different."

For Ducks fans, that difference now feels like a steady climb toward the mountaintop—and a program that's not just dreaming of championships, but building the culture to win them.