Oregon Ducks Hire Defensive Assistant Rip Rowan

Rowan's NFL and college experience boosts Oregon's defensive coaching staff.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Oregon Ducks have hired Rip Rowan as a new defensive assistant coach, adding an experienced hand to their coaching staff. Rowan previously coached in the NFL with the Las Vegas Raiders and at the college level with Washington and Georgia Southern. His arrival comes as Oregon looks to build on a strong 2025 season that saw them reach the College Football Playoff, though they fell short in the semifinal game against eventual champion Indiana.

Why it matters

Rowan's hire is significant as Oregon seeks to maintain a consistent and effective defense under new defensive coordinator Chris Hampton. The Ducks return several key defensive starters, including standout linemen A'Mauri Washington and Bear Alexander, and Rowan's expertise can help take their play to the next level as Oregon aims for its first national championship.

The details

Rowan will be joining the Oregon coaching staff after spending last season as a defensive assistant with the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL. Prior to that, he coached the defensive line at both Washington and Georgia Southern at the college level. His exact role with the Ducks has not been specified, but his background suggests he will be working closely with the defensive line.

  • Rowan is expected to be hired by Oregon on Monday, March 2, 2026.
  • The Ducks are coming off a 13-2 season in 2025 that saw them reach the College Football Playoff semifinals.

The players

Rip Rowan

An experienced defensive assistant coach who has worked in both the NFL and at the college level, including stints with the Las Vegas Raiders, Washington Huskies, and Georgia Southern Eagles.

Dan Lanning

The head coach of the Oregon Ducks football team, who is continuing to build out his coaching staff in the offseason.

A'Mauri Washington

A standout defensive lineman for the Oregon Ducks, who is expected to be a key part of the team's defense in 2026 after a strong 2025 campaign.

Bear Alexander

Another talented defensive lineman for the Oregon Ducks, who will team up with Washington to anchor the team's defensive front in 2026.

Chris Hampton

The new defensive coordinator for the Oregon Ducks, taking over for Tosh Lupoi who departed to become the head coach at California.

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What’s next

Oregon will look to integrate Rowan into the defensive coaching staff and have him work closely with standout linemen like A'Mauri Washington and Bear Alexander to further strengthen the team's defense ahead of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The addition of Rip Rowan to Oregon's coaching staff is a savvy move by head coach Dan Lanning, as the Ducks look to build on their strong 2025 campaign and make a push for the program's first national championship. Rowan's NFL and college experience will be a valuable asset as Oregon seeks to maintain a dominant defense to complement its high-powered offense.