Dan Lanning Reveals What Ryan Switzer Brings to Oregon Coaching Staff

Eugene, Ore. — After wrapping up Oregon’s first spring practice on Thursday, head coach Dan Lanning detailed why former All-American return specialist Ryan Switzer was added to the Ducks’ offensive analyst room this offseason.

“Anybody that’s familiar with college football is familiar with what he was able to accomplish, but there’s a lot of things he can add to our program with his experience as a returner,” Lanning told reporters. “You always look to be able to add hats in the building that can help contribute and make your players better. And he’s got a lot of energy. He’s got great experience. And I think there’s some real value in that for us, having Ryan on our staff.”

Switzer, 31, arrived in Eugene following a two-year stint at Tulsa, where he served as wide receivers coach and passing-game coordinator. The former North Carolina standout—who recorded 244 receptions for 2,912 yards and 19 touchdowns from 2013-2016—left Chapel Hill as one of the most decorated return men in college football history. His seven career punt-return touchdowns remain a Tar Heels record, including five in 2013 alone, the most in the nation that season. Switzer earned first-team All-America honors in 2013 and 2015 and first-team All-ACC recognition three times before being selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.

Though his professional career included stops with the Cowboys, Steelers and Browns, Switzer’s greatest impact came as a rookie returner, scoring on a punt return and landing on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Lanning believes that specialized knowledge can elevate a Duck special-teams unit that already proved explosive in 2025, returning two punts for touchdowns: a Malik Benson scamper against USC and a Jayden Limar blocked-punt score in the playoff win over James Madison.

With field-position swings and momentum-shifting plays often deciding tight Pac-12 matchups, Switzer’s expertise in creating game-breaking returns could prove pivotal as Oregon eyes a deeper postseason run in 2026.