We are just a few days removed from the Oregon Ducksparting ways with former offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, and it already feels like things are in motion. While Dan Lanning and his team are focused on what they can do this weekend to try to get this season back on track with a big game against the Northwestern Wildcats
, there is also the reality of having to move quickly in a hiring process."I don't think that an announcement is going to happen right around the corner," Lanning said earlier this week. "To think that you're not always preparing for moments like that, I think would be wrong too."
Of course, this is also fun for fans to dive into. Many guesses will be wrong, and social media experts' input won't be among the top factors
in the hiring process. Still, a laundry list of names has spread through the fanbase over the last few days, with everyone claiming they know exactly who the next OC should be in Eugene.
Some may be right in the end, but many will likely be wrong. Remember, Lanning has a track record of hiring unknown guys like Kenny Dillingham and Will Stein, so seeing him go with a lesser-known name this time around wouldn't be surprising.
With Oregon's talent and resources, this should be one of the most coveted OC positions in the nation and attract the best talent across college football. On Sunday, after the initial news, we put out a list of candidateswe thought could be considered. After talking with people in the know and going on a deeper dive, we are updating that list.
Some candidates remain, while others have been replaced. Here's the 2.0 version of our Oregon Ducks OC Hotboard:
Mike Norvell, Florida State HC
A lot of names have been thrown out, but I think Norvell makes the most sense, assuming he becomes available before the season ends. Lanning is familiar with him, having worked under Norvell at Memphis in 2016. This one may be a long shot until something changes with Norvell's status at FSU, but it's at least one to be aware of. There are fair questions about quarterback development under Norvell, but if you were to line up a handful of offensive coaches who all want the job, it would be hard to pick many people over Norvell.
Rob Ezell, Wake Forest OC
A lesser-known candidate, undoubtedly, but someone who has substantial upside. Rob Ezell is young: 37 years old. That may make a lot of Oregon fans nervous, but he has a track record of production at South Alabama and now at Wake Forest under Jake Dickert, helping to produce the No. 9 scoring offense (37.4 points per game) and No. 17 total offense (445.9 yards per game). Ezell is part of the Nick Saban coaching tree, as well. He played at for the Crimson Tide before starting as a graduate assistant and an offensive assistant at Alabama, so this could be a factor that Lanning leans on.
Chip Kelly, Northwestern OC
This is the first name everyone is going to mention. Chip Kelly, one of the most successful coaches in Oregon history, has carved out an incredibly nice career for himself as an offensive coordinator since his string of coaching jobs. He won a national championship as the OC of the Ohio State Buckeyes and is one of the main reasons for the Northwestern Wildcats' turnaround this year as the OC in Chicago. Would he be willing to return to Eugene in a non-head-coaching role? Would Oregon be willing to welcome him back after some potential bad blood following his departure? Would he accept a role under Dan Lanning? Would Lanning cede some of his power to Kelly?
There are a lot of uncertainties here that need to be figured out, but it's not hard to say that if all of those things could work out, this marriage would be incredibly fun.
Neal Brown, North Texas HC
This one may be the hardest to get done, but the upside is there. Neal Brown is in his first year as head coach at North Texas, taking over for Eric Morris after he left for Oklahoma State. He's been at the head coaching level for several years now, spending time at West Virginia and Troy, and now has the Mean Green humming with one of the best offenses in the nation — No. 3 in total yards (505 per game) and No. 4 in scoring (39.8 points per game). So yes, a long shot, but also something that should at least be pitched.
Kevin Decker, Memphis OC
One of the names that was not on our original hotboard list, Decker is someone that I've heard mentioned a little bit as a candidate who could make sense in Eugene. While he may not have a ton of high-level play-calling experience under his belt — Decker is in his first year at Memphis, but has not worked at the Power 4 level — the production in 2026 has been impressive, with the Tigers holding the No. 5 total offense and No. 18 scoring offense in the nation this year, averaging 34.9 ppg and 500 yards of offense per game.
There may be other, more established and attractive names on the list, but Decker is someone who could be considered.
Rob Likens, SMU Co-OC/WR
If you're looking for an OC who's been around the block and brings a lot of experience to the table, Likens may interest you. He is 59 and has worked across the nation at different Power 4 programs, including stops as the OC at Kansas, Arizona State, and now SMU. He works as the co-OC and WR coach for the Mustangs, with head coach Rhett Lashlee operating as the play-caller. As the WR coach, Likens helped turn Rashee Rice into a 2nd-round pick with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Slade Nagle, Houston OC
This might be the sweet spot for Oregon. Nagle is a veteran assistant who has plenty of experience working alongside Willie Fritz at Tulane and Houston. He has played a major role in the transformation of the Cougars' offense over the past year. He's a former QB with significant experience developing players at the position, and could be a bit easier to grab considering he is a more under-the-radar name.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon OC Hotboard 2.0: Where the Ducks go at offensive coordinator
