Dan Lanning is always one to search for an extra coaching advantage when he can get one, and over the bye week, the Oregon Ducks coach was hoping to find one up north.
On Thursday, video surfaced of Lanning spending time with Mike McDonald and the Seattle Seahawks during one of their practices leading up to Week 4 of the NFL season. It wasn't a far trip for Lanning, but it allowed him a chance ot pick the brain and learn from one of the top young coaches in the NFL, and watch how the defending Super Bowl Champions operate for an afternoon.
While the Ducks are on a bye following their 41-27 win over the USC Trojans last week and are getting ready for a top-25 matchup against the UCLA Bruins, the Seahawks are preparing for a West Coast game against the Los
Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald has a guest today at practice. @uoregon HC Dan Lanning was in attendance. pic.twitter.com/NzUc7OKISS
— Brian Nemhauser (@hawkblogger) October 1, 2026
While this may be the first time that Lanning and McDonald have crossed paths in person, the two have undoubtedly been familiar with each other before this. Last year at the NFL Scouting Combine, McDonald praised Lanning as one of the top coaches in the world.
"I think he's one of the best football coaches in the world and his track record shows that," McDonald said. "A ton of respect for how he runs his program."
Obviously, Lanning was interested in learning how McDonald ran his program, as well. McDonald is a relatively new addition to the NFL coaching circle, taking over in Seattle just three seasons ago. However, he comes from similar circles as Lanning, coaching with the Georgia Bulldogs early in his career, before spending time with the Baltimore Ravens and Michigan Wolverinesas a defensive coordinator.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon's Dan Lanning visits Seattle Seahawks practice during bye week
