Kenjon Barner was one of the most exciting players to ever suit up for Oregon. From 2009-2012, Barner ran for 3,623 yards and 41 touchdowns for the Ducks. He added another 591 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. He was one of the key pieces that made Oregon a national brand and what they are today.

Barner is a big supporter of current Ducks coach Dan Lanning.

“When you have someone who is a man of his word, someone who respects his word, someone who means exactly what he says and says what he means, it makes a world of difference,” Barner said. “As a player you want someone you can trust, and as a fanbase you want someone you can trust. Daan is exactly that.”

There were rumors this offseason that Lanning would take the open job at Alabama following the retirement of legendary coach Nick Saban. Lanning remained in Eugene.

“The grass isn’t always greener,” Lanning said in 2022. “The grass is damn green in Eugene. I want to stay here in Eugene as long as Eugene will have me.”

This has made Oregon fans even more interested in the current state of the program. They’ve found their man and it doesn’t look like he’ll be going anywhere anytime soon.

“He loves these kids, he is for these kids and he wants the best for him,” Barner said. “That makes him the right man for this position.”

A perfect 9-0 in 2024

The Oregon Ducks are off to a 9-0 start to the 2024 season. In the first college football playoff rankings released Tuesday night, the Ducks came in at No. 1. This wasn’t a surprise, as the Ducks have topped the past few AP Poll rankings. The Ducks are not only undefeated, but are coming off one of the best wins in the country in their 32-31 victory over Ohio State. The Buckeyes are ranked No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings.

Leading this charge was Ducks coach Dan Lanning. Since taking over in 2022, Lanning has led the Ducks to a 31-5 record. Oregon has gotten better every year since he took over.

In 2022, after a 10-4 season in coach Mario Cristobal’s final year, Lanning led the Ducks to a 10-3 record in his first year. It was another step forward in 2023, when Oregon went 12-2. Their only two losses in 2023 came against the national runner-up Washington Huskies. Now, in 2024, Oregon is a perfect 9-0.

Will Lanning be the coach to carry Oregon to its first football national championship victory?