Lanning's Year 5 staff. Every coordinator, every position room, who they came from, and what they oversee.
Dan Lanning's 2026 Oregon coaching staff was built on continuity, and on Oct 25, 2026 it changed: Oregon relieved offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer of his duties the morning after the Illinois loss (Oregon Athletics release), and on Oct 26 Lanning named Jay Johnson, the first-year quarterbacks assistant and a former Michigan State and Wyoming offensive coordinator, to lead the play-calling, “still a collaborative effort” (ESPN and Ducks Wire, Oct 26, 2026). Mehringer and Chris Hampton had been promoted to offensive and defensive coordinator in January, both internal moves after Will Stein left for Kentucky and Tosh Lupoi left for Cal. Hampton still runs the defense. Joe Lorig runs special teams. The position room coaches: Koa Ka'ai (QB), Ra'Shaad Samples (RB), Ross Douglas (WR), Jack Smith (TE), A'lique Terry (OL), Tony Tuioti (DL), Kamran Araghi (EDGE), Brian Michalowski (ILB), and Rashad Wadood (CB).
The official Oregon Football post of the release, linking to goducks.com.
Dan Lanning said: "a new direction is necessary to move our offense forward." On Oct 26 Lanning named Jay Johnson, the first-year quarterbacks assistant, to lead the play-calling, “still a collaborative effort” (Ducks Wire, Oct 26, 2026). Read the Oregon Athletics release, the 2026 reckoning and the 2027 plan.
Relieved of his duties on Oct 25, 2026, the morning after the Illinois loss, after seven games as play-caller (Oregon Athletics release). Promoted from within after Will Stein left for Kentucky. After the 17-15 loss to UCLA on Oct 10, asked about a change in who calls the offensive plays, Dan Lanning said "you have to evaluate all options" (Lookout Eugene-Springfield, Oct 10, 2026). Oregon has announced no change.
Since 2023 (1st as DC, joined as co-DC + safeties Jan 25, 2023)
Prior Tulane DC (2021-2022); led the Cotton Bowl turnaround
Promoted from within after Tosh Lupoi left for Cal. Inherits the best DL in the country.
Joe Lorig
Special Teams Coordinator + Nickels
Since 2022 (Lanning's original staff, hired Jan 3, 2022)
Prior Penn State special teams coordinator (2019-2021); Memphis special teams + OLB (3 seasons under Mike Norvell). 25-year coaching career.
Returned to the Pacific Northwest. The third leg of the staff alongside Mehringer and Hampton.
Offense: Position Coaches
Koa Ka'ai
Quarterbacks
Since 2026 as QB coach (Oregon analyst since 2022)
Prior Former Oregon tight end. Returned to the program in 2022 as an offensive analyst, worked with TEs, RBs, and WRs before moving to QBs under Will Stein in 2024.
Calls the QB room 'mature beyond its years.' Has Moore, Raiola, Brock Thomas, Akili Smith Jr., and Wiepert.
Ra'Shaad Samples
Running Backs + Asst Head Coach
Since 2024
Prior Houston (student asst, started 2016), SMU (RB then asst HC, 2019-2021), TCU (asst HC + RB, 2021-2022), LA Rams (NFL position coach, 2022), Arizona State (WR + passing-game coordinator, 2023).
Built the 2025 backfield. Said Hill Jr. made 'an outstanding jump in pass pro' through spring 2026.
Ross Douglas
Wide Receivers + Pass Game Coordinator
Since 2025 (hired Feb 20, 2025)
Prior Rutgers GA (2018-2020), Richmond CB coach (spring 2021), New England Patriots WR (2021-2023), Syracuse WR + pass game coordinator (2024). Former Michigan and Rutgers DB.
Preaches positionless football: 'When I evaluate receivers, I evaluate skill sets.' Coaches Stewart, DK Moore, McClellan, Hooks.
Jack Smith
Tight Ends
Since 2026
Inherits Jamari Johnson as the post-Sadiq TE1, plus 5-star freshman Kendre Harrison.
A'lique Terry
Offensive Line
Since 2026
Three OL starters left for the NFL. Ziyare Addison won left tackle and Fox Crader right tackle, and both have started every game. Highest-stakes position room on the team.
Defense: Position Coaches
Tony Tuioti
Defensive Line
Since 2022 (Lanning's inaugural staff)
Prior Played DL at Hawaii (1996-1999, all-WAC). Coaching stops at Hawaii, Michigan, and Nebraska before Oregon.
Anchors the deepest position room on the team: Uiagalelei, his son Teitum (verified father-son duo), Washington, Alexander, Rushing, Wyatt, Johnson, Robinson, Simmons.
Kamran Araghi
EDGE / Outside Linebackers
Since 2026
Takes over the edge room with both 2025 starters back: Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti, plus the Rushing and Wyatt wave behind them.
Brian Michalowski
Inside Linebackers
Since 2024 as ILB coach (Oregon analyst 2023, promoted Jan 31, 2024)
Prior Arizona State GA (2012, with Lanning), Memphis GA (2016-2017, with Lanning), Georgia analyst (2018, with Lanning), Colorado outside linebackers (2019-2022), Oregon State analyst (2022).
Develops over the portal. Lost Bryce Boettcher to the Colts (R4/135) but has Jerry Mixon ready for the green dot.
Rashad Wadood
Cornerbacks
Since 2026
Coaches the cornerbacks: Brandon Finney Jr., Ify Obidegwu, Na'eem Offord and Dorian Brew.
Assistants
Donte Ellington
Assistant Wide Receivers
Since 2026
Assistant to Ross Douglas in the WR room.
Jay Johnson
Assistant Quarterbacks
Since 2026
Assistant to Koa Ka'ai. Named by Dan Lanning on Oct 26, 2026 to lead Oregon's play-calling after Drew Mehringer was relieved of his duties, "still a collaborative effort" (Ducks Wire, Oct 26, 2026). Former offensive coordinator at Michigan State and Wyoming (ESPN, Oct 26, 2026).
Ryan Walk
Assistant Offensive Line
Since 2026
Prior Former Oregon center himself; returns to coach the room he played in.
Assistant to A'lique Terry. The Duck-to-Duck connection in the OL room. Replaced Cutter Leftwich, who followed Will Stein to Kentucky.
Mike Cavanaugh
Offensive Assistant
Since 2026 (returning)
Prior Started 1986 GA at Albany. OL coach at Oregon State, Nebraska, and Arizona State. Helped develop former Oregon OL Jackson Powers-Johnson and Josh Conerly Jr.
Came back to the program in 2026. Adds decades of OL experience behind A'lique Terry.
Oregon's official football staff directory lists 37 coaches and 31 support staff for 2026. The sections above cover the on-field coaches in depth. This is the complete directory, straight from the athletic department, including the analysts, strength staff, personnel department and operations people who never make a depth chart.
Coaches (37)
A'lique TerryOffensive Line
AJ TraynorOffensive Assistant
Adam BarrazaDefensive Assistant
Anthony KincyAssociate Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
Ra'Shaad SamplesAssistant Head Coach/Running Backs
Rashad WadoodCornerbacks
Rip RowanDefensive Assistant
Ross DouglasWide Receivers/Pass Game Coordinator
Ryan SwitzerOffensive Assistant
Ryan WalkAssistant Offensive Line
Tony TuiotiDefensive Line
Wilson LoveHead Football Strength & Conditioning Coach
Football Operations and Support (31)
Ben MckayDirector of Performance & Sports Science
Cassidy NoyerDirector of External Relations
Coby SayyahDirector of Recruiting
Devin CramerEquipment Manager
Eden MahinaDirector of Player Academic Development
Estelle WestDirector of On-Campus Recruiting
Gio AguilarVideo Coordinator
Ty PoloskyAssistant Video Coordinator
Hayden AbelnDirector of Defensive Personnel Strategy
Jake KanedaDirector of Player Personnel
Jeff HawkinsSenior Associate AD of HDC Administration and Operations
Jeffrey KingAssistant Director of Player Personnel
Jessie DarkSports Dietitian
Karl HolmesSenior Director of Football Affairs
Kenny FarrFootball Equipment Administrator
Kodi LookDirector of Football Operations
Kyle YoungDirector of HS Scouting
Liv HebertDirector of Recruiting Strategy
Liz McKennaDirector of Personnel Strategy & Recruiting Innovation
Lydia GibbsAssistant General Manager
Marshall MalchowChief of Staff
Matt NoyerAssistant AD of Football Operations
Michael DixonAssistant Director of Player Personnel
Nick DiMarioDirector of Offensive Personnel Strategy
Osman KamaraDirector of Player Development
Scott AndersonSenior Associate Director of Video
Simon StemmlerAssistant Director of Player Personnel
Steve PohlVideo Production Coordinator
Steve Stephens IVAssistant Director of Player Personnel
Tyler DeanGeneral Manager
Verone McKinley IIIDirector of Scouting & Recruiting Relations
Official GoDucks.com football staff directory (goducks.com/sports/football/coaches), re-verified name-by-name August 12, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Nobody holds the title as of Oct 25, 2026. Drew Mehringer was promoted from co-OC in January 2026 after Will Stein left to be the head coach at Kentucky, called plays for seven games, and was relieved of his duties on Oct 25, 2026, the day after the 21-10 loss at Illinois (Oregon Athletics release). On Oct 26 Dan Lanning named Jay Johnson, the first-year quarterbacks assistant, to lead the play-calling against Northwestern on Oct 31, “still a collaborative effort” (ESPN and Ducks Wire, Oct 26, 2026). Mehringer originally joined Lanning's staff on January 4, 2022 as tight ends coach.
Chris Hampton is Oregon's defensive coordinator in 2026. He was promoted from co-DC in December 2025 after Tosh Lupoi was named head coach at Cal. Hampton joined Lanning's staff on January 25, 2023 as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
Joe Lorig is Oregon's special teams coordinator. He returned to the Pacific Northwest after coaching special teams and outside linebackers at Memphis for three seasons.
A'lique Terry is Oregon's offensive line coach in 2026. Ryan Walk, a former Oregon center, returned to the program as assistant offensive line coach. Mike Cavanaugh serves as an offensive assistant. The OL coaches are tasked with rebuilding two new tackle spots after three OL starters (Pregnon, Harkey, World) left for the NFL.
Koa Ka'ai is the quarterbacks coach. Jay Johnson is the assistant QB coach, and on Oct 26, 2026 Dan Lanning named him to lead the play-calling after Drew Mehringer was relieved of his duties. They oversee the deepest QB room in college football: Dante Moore, Dylan Raiola, Brock Thomas, Akili Smith Jr., and R-freshman Mark Wiepert.
Brian Michalowski coaches the inside linebackers. Kamran Araghi coaches the EDGE / outside linebackers. Jerry Mixon wears the green dot as the on-field defensive signal-caller in 2026.
Chris Hampton coaches the safeties (in addition to his DC duties). Rashad Wadood coaches the cornerbacks: Brandon Finney Jr., Na'eem Offord and Dorian Brew.