Seven games into the 2026 season, Oregon just dropped the hammer: first-year offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer is out. Head coach Dan Lanning announced Monday night that offensive assistant Jay Johnson will take over playcalling duties, a move that comes after a brutal three-week stretch where the Ducks offense sputtered to an average of just 14 points per game and took two Ls against UCLA and Illinois.
Johnson Steps Up With Championship Credentials
This isn’t Johnson’s first rodeo calling plays, and that’s a huge deal. Lanning made it clear, highlighting Johnson’s deep experience. The guy was even with Lanning back at Georgia when they snagged that national championship ring, and he went on to stack up more success at Colorado and Michigan State. Lanning’s banking on that championship pedigree and fresh eyes. Johnson’s coming in with a “different perspective, a different view,” not having been with the Ducks for the last few years, which Lanning hopes will spark some much-needed changes to the offense. It’ll still be a collaborative effort with the offensive staff, but Johnson’s leading the charge.
The Fallout: Blame and Brutal Numbers
Mehringer, who was previously the tight ends coach for the Ducks, is the first assistant coach Lanning has fired since taking the helm in 2022. The decision wasn’t made lightly, but the numbers don’t lie. That offensive decision-making was under intense fire for three weeks straight, culminating in that measly 14 points per game average and those two losses. Lanning, ever the human, spoke to the difficult side of letting Mehringer go, acknowledging the personal toll. He pointed out Mehringer was an “unbelievable dad, a great husband,” and a staff member for five years who “done some really good things here.” Lanning even shouldered some of the blame, saying, “all of us feel like we shoulder some of the blame. Because we didn’t create success for our team this season.” It’s a tough business, but when the offense stalls, something has to give.
Now, with a new voice leading the offense and the team still making a big leap in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, every snap counts. Can Johnson unlock this offense and get those Ducks soaring again? We’re all watching.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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