Bill Hayward
Track and Field 路 Head coach 1904鈥1947
The father of Oregon athletics鈥攁nd the namesake of Oregon鈥檚 iconic track and field venue鈥攕erved as head track coach for 44 years (1904鈥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 路 Head coach 1948鈥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鈥檚 waffle iron to prototype the running shoe that launched Nike, the company he co-founded with his former UO runner Phil Knight. Bowerman鈥檚 trademark combination of ingenuity and grit would earn Eugene the nickname of "Track Town USA."
Victory is in having done your best. If you鈥檝e done your best, you鈥檝e won.
Bill Dellinger
Track and Field 路 Head coach 1972鈥1998
Dellinger was an accomplished distance runner for Oregon under Coach Bowerman before succeeding him in 1972. Over 25 seasons, Dellinger solidified Oregon鈥檚 status as a track and field powerhouse, capturing five NCAA team titles鈥攆our in cross country and one in outdoor track鈥攁nd 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 路 Head coach 1977鈥1994
Starting in 1977, Brooks spent nearly 18 seasons rebuilding Oregon鈥檚 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 鈥淭he Pick鈥) clinched the Ducks鈥 victory over historic rival the University of Washington Huskies, sending the team to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1958.
It鈥檚 a great day to be a Duck.
Mike Bellotti
Football 路 Head coach 1995鈥2008
Bellotti holds the title of 鈥渢he winningest coach in Oregon football history,鈥 with an all-time record of 116鈥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鈥攆ast-paced, forward-thinking, and aesthetically bold鈥攁nd 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 鈥極鈥 logo that still exists today.
Success is a journey, not a destination. I think you're always continuing on that journey.
Ernie Kent
Men鈥檚 Basketball 路 Head coach 1997鈥2010
When he was hired in 1997, Kent became the first Black head coach of any UO sport. He鈥檇 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鈥檚 Basketball 路 Head coach 2010鈥2026
Dana Altman transformed Oregon basketball into a national juggernaut. Beating Ernie Kent鈥檚 previous record, Altman is the winningest coach in Oregon men's basketball history. His tactical brilliance led the Ducks to the 2017 Final Four, Oregon鈥檚 first appearance in 78 years. With nine NCAA Tournament appearances and four Pac-12 Tournament titles under his belt, Altman led the tradition of Duck dominance in hoops.
You鈥檙e judged by how you handle adversity.
Kelly Graves
Women鈥檚 Basketball 路 Head coach 2014鈥損resent
Since 2014, Graves has built an Oregon dynasty, achieving a 264鈥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"鈥擲abrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, and Ruthy Hebard鈥攖o the program鈥檚 first Final Four in 2019. Additional highlights include three consecutive Pac-12 titles (2018鈥2020) and a 2026 NCAA tournament victory over Virginia Tech.
Find a way, each and every day.
Melyssa Lombardi
Softball 路 Head coach 2018鈥損resent
Since taking over in 2018, Lombardi has amassed a 239鈥116 record as of 2026. A 2025 Big Ten Coach of the Year, she led the Ducks to a 54鈥10 season and their first Women's College World Series appearance in seven years. Lombardi鈥檚 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 路 Head coach 2021鈥損resent
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鈥8 record. Lanning鈥檚 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.