Oregon football fired first-year offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer on Sunday, Oct. 25, following the Ducks' 21-10 loss to Illinois in Week 8.
The Ducks opened the season ranked No. 2 in the US LBM Coaches Poll but have stumbled to a 4-3 start this season and out of the Top 25. Their offense has scored 17 or less points in each of their past three games without starting quarterback Dante Moore, who has missed three consecutive games after suffering a concussion against Southern California.
"Drew has been a valued member of this staff since 2022, and I am appreciative of everything
he's done for Oregon," Oregon coach Dan Lanning said in a statement announcing the move. "He played a tremendous role in what this program has accomplished over the last several seasons. This was a decision I felt was in the best interest of our football program, as I believe a new direction is necessary to move our offense forward. I thank Drew for his efforts and wish him all the best."
Yesterday: Oregon ran this play.
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) October 25, 2026
Today: Oregon fired their offensive coordinator. pic.twitter.com/1poSfV6mfb
Mehringer replaced former offensive coordinator Will Stein, one of the best offensive coordinators in college football who's now the head coach at Kentucky. Mehringer was a part of Lanning's inaugural staff at Oregon, being hired as tight ends coach in 2022 before adding co-offensive coordinator duties in 2025.
Oregon's offense is ranked No. 42 nationally in total offense, averaging 423.1 yards per game. It was held scoreless against the Fighting Illini in the second half.
The Ducks offense is also riddled with injuries, as they played without Moore and multiple of their top receivers against Illinois, including Jeremiah McClellan, Messiah Hampton and Evan Stewart.
Oregon's season has turned to borderline disaster status, given its national championship hopes entering 2026.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oregon was supposed to chase a title. Now Dan Lanning is firing coaches
