Whittingham said Oregon's budget lets Lanning outbid everybody for talent, and Lanning answered by pointing to Michigan's own coaching spend.
Kyle Whittingham handed Dan Lanning some backhanded praise this week, and Lanning handed it right back.
On Monday, Nov. 9, during Michigan's "Inside Michigan Football" radio show, Whittingham called Lanning an outstanding, defensive-minded coach and a tireless recruiter, then added that it does not hurt that Oregon has "$50-plus million" at its disposal to, in his words, outbid everybody, or at least a lot of people. Whittingham framed it as no fault of Lanning's, more a credit to Oregon's program and financial commitment.
Two days later, Lanning responded by turning the conversation toward Michigan's own spending on coaching salaries, pushing back on the idea that Oregon's checkbook is the real difference-maker.
The verbal sparring comes with an actual game attached. Michigan, 5-4 and 2-4 in the Big Ten, visits Oregon, 6-3 and 4-2, on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Autzen Stadium. Michigan has had a rocky stretch under Whittingham, including a loss to a Michigan State team that entered that game at 2-5, and the Wolverines have also shuffled quarterbacks this season. Oregon, meanwhile, arrives with the better record and the last word in this particular exchange.