Two of Oregon's top assistants are drawing outside interest as UCLA looks to fill its head coaching vacancy. According to reports, Ducks offensive coordinator Will Stein and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi have been named potential candidates for the Bruins' job.
The speculation highlights how successful Oregon's program has been under Dan Lanning, with both sides of the ball producing at a high level. Stein has been praised for running one of the nation's most explosive offenses, while Lupoi has overseen steady progress on defense, helping Oregon remain a serious contender in the Big Ten, and also is one of the top recruiters in the nation.
At this stage, it's unclear whether UCLA's interest will materialize into formal offers or if either coach would consider leaving Eugene for Los Angeles.
While being offered a head coaching job in a power conference is always tempting, there's a strong case to be made that both Stein and Lupoi are already in better situations at Oregon than they would be at UCLA.
Oregon has established itself as a national power with elite facilities, significant financial backing (thanks partly to Nike's Phil Knight), and a football-first culture. The Ducks are recruiting and performing at a level that allows them to go toe-to-toe with the top programs in the Big Ten, including Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State.
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On the other hand, UCLA has struggled to find its footing in the Big Ten after two seasons. The Bruins' facilities, fan support, and overall commitment to football trail far behind the conference's elite. While the Los Angeles market gives the program potential, UCLA has not been able to capitalize on it, and the gap between them and the league's contenders remains significant.
From that perspective, Stein and Lupoi may be better off continuing to build their résumés with a successful Ducks program rather than taking on the uphill battle of reviving UCLA football. Sometimes, the "promotion" of a head coaching job doesn't necessarily mean stepping into a better position.