OK, so we don’t actually cover Dan Lanning’s new contract in today’s episode of The Traffic Report — we recorded Wednesday afternoon — but the big man signing a big $$$ deal is news enough that it’s worth leading today’s post.

The terms? The fourth-year Ducks coach has reportedly agreed to an amended contract that will increase his salary to nearly $11 million per year through 2031. The contract will be up for approval on Friday during a UO board of trustees meeting.

What does this mean?

For a program that considers itself one of the top in the nation, it’s now paying its top job like it. Lanning’s new deal will make him the fourth-highest paid coach in college football, according to CBS Sports, increasing his current contract by $2 million annually.

Here’s the list of football coaches making more than $10 million a year:

1. Kirby Smart, Georgia $13.2 million

2. Ryan Day, Ohio State $12.5 million

3. Dabo Swinney, Clemson $11.5 million

4. Dan Lanning, Oregon $11 million

5. Steve Sarkisian, Texas $10.8 million

6. Kalen DeBoer, Alabama $10.25 million

7. Lincoln Riley, USC $10.1 million

8. Bill Belichick, UNC $10 million

Pretty good company there. But after a 35-6 start to his career, with a 12-0 regular season and a Big Ten Championship in his third year as a head coach, it’s hard to make the argument that Lanning isn’t worth the money when compared to his peers.

It’s also interesting to start thinking of the longevity of Lanning. Chip Kelly coached four seasons at Oregon — same with Mark Helfrich and Mario Cristobal. Should Lanning make it to the end of this deal — there’s the same $20 million buyout — the coach who came to Oregon as an outsider will have made it longer in Eugene than anyone not named Bellotti, Brooks or Casanova.

OK, now to the podcast: This week Justin and I have a range of topics to dive into, from Oregon’s home finale on Tuesday against Indiana to what might be the end of spring football to the best goosebump-moments stadiums can provide.

For more, listen to this podcast in the player above or find us over on Apple or Spotify.

— Tyson Alger, The I-5 Corridor

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