Oregon RB Jordan James (20) shakes off an OSU defender. On November 24, 2023, the University of Oregon Ducks football team defeated Oregon State University 31-7 at home at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Eric Becker/Emerald).
Spring is the time to clean house, and for Oregon football, that has meant dealing with changes to a staff that had a successful 2023 and finding new faces in a crowded preseason.
The Ducks were able to retain the majority of their staff after last season’s 12-win campaign. Head coach Dan Lanning has indicated that he will stay despite rumors of a departure to Tuscaloosa, while highly regarded offensive coordinator Will Stein stays on the sidelines at Autzen Stadium.
Former Oregon running backs coach Carlos Locklyn, on the other hand, has left the program. The former tailbacks’ leader spent two years in Eugene and ruffled a few feathers on his departure. Lanning and his team worked fast, however, and secured a replacement: Ra’Shaad Samples from Arizona State.
“You always lean on relationships of people who know guys,” Lanning told GoDucks. “Several staff members knew Ra’Shaad well. Will [Stein] has previously worked with him, as has Drew [Mehringer], the tight ends coach. “We spent a lot of time looking for the right guy.”
And they took their time. The job was empty for over a week in the middle of spring practices, between Locklyn’s departure and Samples’ arrival. For Lanning, the wait was worthwhile.
“The pieces that he adds to our program — his experience, even as a young up-and-comer [and] the multitude of positions he’s worked with made him a really great fit for us,” he remarked shortly thereafter.
The Texan is only 29 years old, and after his collegiate wide receiver career was cut short by concussions, he turned to the sideline. He moved up the ranks at Southern Methodist University. In less than two years, he advanced from recruiter to running backs coach and then associate head coach. He also has professional experience. Between tenure at Texas Christian University and ASU, he spent 2022 coaching tailbacks for Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams.
“Being with Sean for that year was invaluable,” Samples explained. “I got to work with [Rams running back] Kyren Williams, I got to teach how different guys look and what you want going towards the next level.”
“I’ve said it before: You can’t eat an elephant in one bite,” Lanning added, noting that Samples was already viewing movies on his journey up. “He’s going to learn as quick as he can.”
Samples are fully purchased.
“You don’t sleep,” he informed GoDucks. “You just be relentless in your approach – you spend the entire night here, then wake up and come here early in the morning. You use the resources you have, rely on the players and coaches, and spend your time grinding.”
He’ll have a formidable backfield to teach. Despite losing feature back Bucky Irving to the NFL draft, the Ducks retain junior Jordan James and redshirt junior Noah Whittington. Oregon also added transfer Jay Harris, a Division II All-American from Northwest Missouri State, to compete alongside second-year back Jayden Limar and a slew of rookies.
“We’ve had to work through it,” James told the Ducks. “Obviously, with the unexpected loss of Coach Lock, but I think we’ve done a great job within ourselves, holding each other accountable and still doing the things we’re supposed to do.”
In 2023, James rushed for 759 yards and 11 touchdowns after replacing Whittington as Irving’s co-conspirator following his Week 4 injury.
“He knows what he’s talking about,” James explained. “He will help us win games and improve in all aspects of our game. There hasn’t been much of a change in the way we train – I believe we always practice with tremendous intensity — but Coach Samp has clearly introduced us to a new part of the game.
For the time being, that entails keeping track of who is making waves. Both of the feature backs could go for the NFL at the end of the season, and those who follow them will have a chance to prove themselves.
Keep an eye out for Saturday’s scrimmage to see who is in favor and what looks Samples might provide. Whittington and James are anticipated to handle the most of the load, but with a busy season — maybe lengthier than most in recent memory — on the horizon, it is probable that backs like Harris and Limar will see plenty of action as the Ducks prepare for the 2024 season.
