According to a report by Matt Zenitz of 247Sports on Sunday, the University of Oregon is set to bring on Ra’Shaad Samples, a football assistant from Arizona State, as their next running backs coach and assistant head coach under Dan Lanning.
Samples, who currently serves as the pass-game coordinator and receivers coach for the Sun Devils, is recognized as a top recruiter nationwide. Despite having recently signed an extension with Arizona State through the 2025 season, Samples is making the move to Oregon as the Sun Devils transition to the Big 12.
Previously, Samples worked as the running backs coach for the Los Angeles Rams. At just 27 years old, he was the youngest position coach in the NFL in 2022. Prior to his NFL stint, Samples held coaching roles at SMU, where he eventually became assistant head coach and running backs coach.
A former collegiate receiver at Oklahoma State and Houston, Samples began his coaching career at Houston before spending time at Texas as an assistant wide receivers coach.
Samples’ appointment fills the void left by Carlos Locklyn, who departed for Ohio State last week, as the Ducks’ running backs coach.