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Oregon head coach Dan Lanning is currently in Tuscaloosa, Alabama where he is set to interview for the Crimson Tide’s head coaching job following Nick Saban’s retirement, multiple sources told TideIllustrated.
According to sources, Alabama players were informed of Saban’s retirement during a meeting Wednesday. During the meeting, they were urged to “hang tight” and were told the team's coaching search was not going to be a long process.
Alabama is hoping to make a hire within the next 72 hours in an attempt to avoid a mass exodus of players. According to NCAA rules, the transfer portal will open up for an additional 30 days for Crimson Tide players following the coaching change.
Lanning has spent the past two seasons as Oregon’s head coach, leading the Ducks to a 22-5 record. This past season, Oregon finished 12-2 with its two losses coming to Pac-12 champion Washington. The Ducks beat Liberty 45-6 in the Fiesta Bowl.
If hired, sources told TideIllustrated that Lanning will look to bring Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein with him to Tuscaloosa. Stein was a finalist for the Broyles Award last season, helping the Ducks rank No. 2 in both scoring offense (44.2 points per game) and total offense (531.4 yards per game). The Ducks led the nation in passing offense, averaging 346.9 yards per game through the air."
