Flock Talk: Spring Starts With Today

 

Dan Lanning’s message on Day One sounded simple. But the philosophy behind it says a lot about how Oregon keeps building.

Earlier today I spent some time diving into a concept I have been thinking about lately when it comes to culture.

Not just culture in football, but culture in general. The way small decisions stack together over time and eventually become something bigger.

That idea has been rattling around in my head for a while now, and I explored it in a deeper piece earlier today. But sometimes the best way to understand an idea is to step back and look at it in context.

And that context arrived Wednesday afternoon when Dan Lanning stepped to the podium following Oregon’s first spring practice.

The Ducks opened spring workouts in shells, what coaches call “spiders,” meaning the focus wasn’t really about physical domination yet. Day one of spring is rarely about results anyway. It’s about effort, communication, and the first steps toward building the next version of the team.

Lanning said that was exactly what he saw.

“Good day one,” Lanning said. “You know, it's always hard to grade a day one. What you're really looking for is effort and execution because we're not in full pads yet. We're in spiders. But I saw guys running to the ball, moving with a purpose, doing a really good job today out there in the field.”

There were also mistakes, of course. That’s the point of spring practice.

But the early tone suggested a program already focused on moving forward.

A Program Built One Day at a Time

When Lanning was asked about Oregon’s continued postseason progress over the past several seasons, his answer sounded almost deceptively simple.

“It starts day by day,” Lanning said. “So the best thing we can do to continue to improve and get better in our program is to be the best we can today. And when we get tomorrow, we'll worry about tomorrow.”

That kind of answer might not make headlines. But if you’ve listened to Lanning long enough, it reflects something deeper about the way Oregon approaches development.

Championship programs rarely build themselves in one giant leap. They’re built in smaller steps that happen behind the scenes — practices, meetings, offseason work, and the gradual improvement of players and coaches over time.

Spring football is where a lot of those steps begin.

This year’s version of the Ducks has some familiar faces and some new ones. Veteran quarterback Dante Moore returns as the leader of the offense after gaining experience last season, and Lanning said that experience is already showing.

“He's a coach on the field,” Lanning said. “He's able to take advantage of that. But day one, always there's an opportunity for us to get better.”

There are also new additions learning the system, including transfer quarterback Dylan Raiola, who practiced Wednesday while continuing to work back from injury.

Lanning described Raiola as “a cerebral player that can make the throws,” but emphasized that spring will be about learning and growth as he adjusts to a new offense.

Continuity Within the Program

Another storyline entering the spring is Oregon’s decision to promote from within for several key coaching positions.

Rather than bringing in outside coordinators, Lanning elevated longtime assistants Drew Mehringer and Chris Hampton into larger roles.

For Lanning, the decision was about something he sees every day inside the building.

“Anytime you're able to promote, it's because you get to see what guys do every single day,” Lanning said. “The best indication of what I'm going to get in the future is how those guys' positions have performed in the past.”

That kind of continuity reflects what Lanning often describes as a healthy organization — one where coaches and staff members grow within the program rather than constantly being replaced.

It also mirrors the way players develop.

Opportunities don’t just appear out of nowhere. They’re earned through preparation and the work that happens long before anyone notices.

Opportunity Across the Roster

Spring practice is always about opportunity, and this year’s roster features several positions where players will have the chance to step into larger roles.

On the offensive line, Oregon must replace multiple starters who moved on to the NFL. Lanning said the program has recruited well at the position and believes the next wave of players is ready to compete.

“I think we have size and athleticism,” he said. “And Coach Terry and the group that he works with over time have really proven that they're great at building a cohesive unit.”

The receiver room will also look different following the departure of deep-threat wideout Malik Benson. But Lanning pointed out that Benson himself earned that role over time.

“People fall into roles and take advantage of roles when they take advantage of opportunities,” he said. “We're going to figure out who takes advantage of the opportunity to press the ball down the field.”

That process will play out across the roster during the next several weeks.

Young players trying to break through. Veterans stepping into leadership roles. Transfers learning new systems.

All of it begins during spring.

A Reminder of How Quickly Things Change

Toward the end of the press conference, Lanning was asked about wide receiver Dillon Gresham.

Gresham had a strong spring last year before suffering an injury that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season. His long-term future in football remains uncertain.

Lanning’s answer carried a moment of perspective.

“I think football at some point ends for everybody,” Lanning said. “And sometimes you hope it doesn't end for a guy like Dillon as soon as it did last season. We'll see what it continues to look like moving forward, but that's the everyday battle, and that's a wake-up call for anybody out there playing ball. It can be taken away from you in a second.”

It was one of the quieter moments of the press conference, but also one of the most revealing.

Football moves quickly. Careers move even faster.

That reality is one reason coaches constantly emphasize urgency and focus during spring practice. Every rep matters. Every day matters.

Because one day you look up and realize the season has arrived.

And the work you put in during March and April has already shaped what comes next.

For Oregon, that work officially began Wednesday.

And if Lanning’s message was any indication, the Ducks are starting the same way they always do.

With today.