Bill Hayward
Track and Field · Head coach 1904–1947
The father of Oregon athletics—and the namesake of Oregon’s iconic track and field venue—served as head track coach for 44 years (1904–1947). Known as "Colonel Bill" for his gruff demeanor, Hayward put Oregon track and field on the map. During his 44 years leading the program, he coached nine Olympians and multiple world-record holders, including high jumper Les Steers and Bill Bowerman, who would succeed him as head coach. Hayward also served as the coach of the U.S. Olympic team at six Games from 1912 to 1936.
I don't care how many races you win; I want to know how many you've run to your limit.
Bill Bowerman
Track and Field · Head coach 1948–1973
Few names carry more weight in Eugene than Bill Bowerman, head track and field coach from 1948 to 1972. Despite coaching 31 Olympians and leading Oregon to win four NCAA team championships, he may be best remembered for using his wife’s waffle iron to prototype the running shoe that launched Nike, the company he co-founded with his former UO runner Phil Knight. Bowerman’s trademark combination of ingenuity and grit would earn Eugene the nickname of "Track Town USA."
Victory is in having done your best. If you’ve done your best, you’ve won.
Bill Dellinger
Track and Field · Head coach 1972–1998
Dellinger was an accomplished distance runner for Oregon under Coach Bowerman before succeeding him in 1972. Over 25 seasons, Dellinger solidified Oregon’s status as a track and field powerhouse, capturing five NCAA team titles—four in cross country and one in outdoor track—and coaching 108 All-Americans and iconic distance runners, including Steve Prefontaine. Additional victories at the 1977, 1978, and 1982 national cross-country championships cemented a legacy of excellence that endures to this day.
Good things come slow, especially in distance running.
Rich Brooks
Football · Head coach 1977–1994
Starting in 1977, Brooks spent nearly 18 seasons rebuilding Oregon’s football program from the ground up. The turning point for the program came in 1994, when Kenny Wheaton's 97-yard interception return for a touchdown (referred to by fans as “The Pick”) clinched the Ducks’ victory over historic rival the University of Washington Huskies, sending the team to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1958.
It’s a great day to be a Duck.
Mike Bellotti
Football · Head coach 1995–2008
Bellotti holds the title of “the winningest coach in Oregon football history,” with an all-time record of 116–55. Over 14 years, Bellotti led the Ducks to 12 bowl games, a No. 2 regular season ranking, and two Pac-10 conference titles. Under his watch, Oregon football established its unique style—fast-paced, forward-thinking, and aesthetically bold—and began a relationship with Nike that saw players decked in stand-out uniforms and gear, including a color-shifting helmet, inspired by how duck feathers change color in the light, featuring the big ‘O’ logo that still exists today.
Success is a journey, not a destination. I think you're always continuing on that journey.
Ernie Kent
Men’s Basketball · Head coach 1997–2010
When he was hired in 1997, Kent became the first Black head coach of any UO sport. He’d go on to make history again as the then-winningest coach in Oregon basketball history, with 235 victories. A former Duck player himself, Kent revitalized the program, leading Oregon to two Elite Eight appearances in 2002 and 2007. His 2002 squad, led by his recruits (and, later, NBA stars) Luke Ridnour, Luke Jackson, and Fred Jones, captured the Pac-10 regular-season title, marking a golden era at McArthur Court.
Dana Altman
Men’s Basketball · Head coach 2010–present
Since becoming head coach in 2010, Altman has transformed Oregon basketball into a national juggernaut. Beating Ernie Kent’s previous record, Altman has netted 382 wins at Oregon as of the end of the 2025–2026 season. His tactical brilliance led the Ducks to the 2017 Final Four, Oregon’s first appearance in 78 years. With nine NCAA Tournament appearances and four Pac-12 Tournament titles under his belt, Altman continues the tradition of Duck dominance in hoops.
You’re judged by how you handle adversity.
Kelly Graves
Women’s Basketball · Head coach 2014–present
Since 2014, Graves has built an Oregon dynasty, achieving a 264–136 record by 2026. Known for implementing a professional-level, high-efficiency offense and for his player development, Graves famously coached the legendary "Big Three"—Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, and Ruthy Hebard—to the program’s first Final Four in 2019. Additional highlights include three consecutive Pac-12 titles (2018–2020) and a 2026 NCAA tournament victory over Virginia Tech.
Find a way, each and every day.
Melyssa Lombardi
Softball · Head coach 2018–present
Since taking over in 2018, Lombardi has amassed a 239–116 record as of 2026. A 2025 Big Ten Coach of the Year, she led the Ducks to a 54–10 season and their first Women's College World Series appearance in seven years. Lombardi’s coaching style emphasizes aggressive baserunning and expert defense, evidenced by a .980 fielding percentage in 2026, a program record.
My standard doesn't change. I expect to compete every year for championships.
Dan Lanning
Football · Head coach 2021–present
Since taking the helm in 2021, Lanning quickly transformed Oregon football into a national contender. In his first year, he led the team to a Holiday Bowl victory, and by the end of the 2025 season, he had amassed a stellar 45–8 record. Lanning’s high-energy coaching style and elite recruiting record fueled a historic 2025 season, including a victory over Ohio State University and a Big Ten Championship.
The grass is damn green in Eugene.