I agree nothing much left now as far as roster is concerned - this is fully Lanning team. However the impact Mario left WAS present in year 1 and 2, which elevated Lanning floor for recruiting and already had a successful program to recruit for, which is contributing to his sustained success year 3. It all builds off eachother. What if Mario left Oregon like Diaz left Miami and Lanning only wins 7 games year 1 instead of inheriting a team that finished 14 with 10 wins, so year 1 he matches that and finishes 15th. I think Lanning is doing a great job at Oregon. I think they are seizing the fact that Lincoln Riley has surprisingly kinda sucked for USC, and are absolutely taking advantage NIL wise of the fact they have one of the most (probably THE most) wealthy+Generous boosters of any program
Mario was there coming off a recent downturn for Oregon. The previous 3 seasons before Mario became HC they went 20-19 (51%) which was a major decling given the 3 years before that they went 36-5 (87%). And obviously the 3 years under Mario before Lanning became HC (removing Covid), they were 31-10 (76%)... And obviously for us our previous 3 season before he became HC we went 21-15 (58%).