Although the Oregon Ducks’ 2024 season didn’t turn out as planned, they have so far this summer retained almost all of their coaching staff. Additionally, they received additional positive news about running backs coach Ra’Shaad Samples on Monday.
The NFL took notice of Samples as he became a vital member of head coach Dan Lanning’s staff, and the Dallas Cowboys interviewed him for their open running backs coach position. Samples apparently declined the job offer over the weekend in order to remain at Oregon.
“The Dallas Cowboys targeted Ra’Shaad Samples, one of Dan Lanning’s best aides, for a comparable staff role. Actually, according to reports, Samples was a member of the Cowboys.
“The Dallas Cowboys targeted Ra’Shaad Samples, one of Dan Lanning’s best aides, for a comparable staff role. According to insiders, Samples was the Cowboys’ top candidate for the job, but he declined the offer over the weekend, according to Justin Hopkins of ScoopDuck.
Instead of going back to the NFL, where he was the running backs coach for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022, Samples, who was also Lanning’s assistant head coach in 2024 during his first season with Oregon, chose to remain in his current position. Additionally, Samples sent a brief statement on social media following the news announcement that is guaranteed to energize Ducks supporters.
After a slow ascent through the ranks, Samples has emerged as one of Lanning’s most valuable coaches. Samples was the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator for the Arizona State Sun Devils before joining the Ducks. Additionally, he played a variety of roles for the SMU Mustangs for three seasons.
Samples is sticking around for the 2025 season after playing for four different schools in four years. He will be trying to help Oregon bounce back from their devastating 2024 College Football Playoff loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes.
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