In college football, there are always players and coaches who become polarizing figures. There’s always someone who fans outside a particular fanbase either really loves or really hates.
A couple of recent examples include the legendary Nick Saban, who was widely disliked during his time at Alabama, and Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh, who was often hated outside of Ann Arbor. Now, with both of those coaches gone, one analyst believes Oregon’s Dan Lanning is stepping into the villain role in college football.
Dan Lanning Tapped as College Football’s Next Villain
It’s no secret that Harbaugh and Saban faced plenty of disdain from opposing fan bases throughout their coaching careers. While the hate was often unnecessary, it’s part of what makes college football so entertaining. Every sport needs a villain.
On “Josh Pate’s College Football Show,” analyst and host of “The Solid Verbal Podcast” Dan Rubenstein explained why many fans didn’t favor Harbaugh and Saban during their coaching careers.
“And people didn’t like Nick Saban because they saw like how he left the Dolphins and the NFL and what he’s doing at Alabama and the sort of the gruff demeanor on the sideline,” Rubenstein said. “They didn’t like Jim Harbaugh.”
Rubenstein went on to say that he sees shades of that same villainous role in Lanning.
I think there is a brashness to him that players respond to that has worked for that program. But I like that he is seen in sort of like a villainous way.”
There’s no question that Lanning hasn’t held back his opinions during his coaching career. Before Oregon’s 2023 game against Colorado, he went viral for a pregame speech where he said Deion Sanders’ team was fighting for “clicks,” while the Ducks were fighting for “wins.”
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning didn’t hold back in his pregame speech against Colorado 👀
“They’re fighting for clicks, we’re fighting for wins.” pic.twitter.com/imo4OHA4fA
— ESPN (@espn) September 23, 2023
If there’s a villain to point to in today’s college football world, Lanning would be a top choice. There are a few others who could fill that role, like Ohio State’s Ryan Day, but when it comes to being loud, cocky, and confident, no one fits the bill better than Lanning.
This isn’t a criticism of Lanning, either. As Rubenstein points out, it’s something his own team embraces, which will, in turn, lead to success. The Ducks’ head coach isn’t concerned with what others think of him; he’s focused solely on doing what’s best for his program.
It’s the same mindset Saban and Harbaugh had during their coaching careers. It seems like Lanning embraces it, and college football needs it.
