Ra’Shaad is trying to stay in Oregon after drawing head coaching interest

Attracting and retaining top coaches is important to any head coach, and it seems so Dan Lanning will hold on to a future star in the Oregon Running Backs and Assistant Head Coach Ra’Shaad tries.

Samples, 30, will remain in Eugene after being a finalist to become the next head coach at Sam Houston State, according to a report on Sunday morning from Matt Zenitz of 247 Sports.

The Dallas, Texas native joined Lanning’s coaching staff at Oregon in April after previously serving as the wide receivers coach on Kenny Dillingham’s staff at Arizona State. He replaced Carlos Locklynwho left Oregon to become the running backs coach at Ohio State.

During the 2024 season, Samples has coached one of the best backfields in college football. The running tandem of Jordan James and Noah Whittington have combined for 1,822 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns while averaging 137.8 rushing yards per game. match.

Tryouts has also been a big asset for Oregon on the recruiting trail.

In the 2025 recruiting class, his first with the Ducks, he drafted a pair of four-star running backs in Jordan Davison of California State champion Mater Dei, as well Dierre Hill Jr.a state champion from Illinois.

The Oregon running backs coach also played a big role in the Ducks signing a five-star+ plus Duncanville (Tex.) wide receiver Dakorie Moore and four-star Scottsdale (Ariz.) Notre Dame Preparatory wide receiver Cooper Perry.