Dana Altman Retires as Oregon Ducks Head Coach
The veteran leader steps down after 16 seasons in charge of the men's basketball program.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Basketball
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Dana Altman announced his retirement in early October after leading the Oregon Ducks for 16 seasons. At 68 years old, the coach cited a lack of energy and confidence as his primary reason for leaving.
Why it matters
The departure marks the end of a historic era for Oregon basketball, as the program now prepares for a season of transition under interim head coach Tony Stubblefield. The team faces significant roster turnover, having lost nine players to the transfer portal and three to graduation.
Altman finished his tenure with 382 wins and 182 losses across 16 seasons. The program faces a rebuilding phase with Sean Stewart serving as the only returning starter from the 2025-2026 season, which saw the team miss postseason play.
The players
Dana Altman
The 68-year-old former head coach led the Oregon Ducks men's basketball team for 16 seasons.
Tony Stubblefield
A long-time assistant who has been with the Oregon program for 13 years and will serve as interim head coach.
Sean Stewart
The player is the only returning starter from the previous Oregon men's basketball season.
The details
Tony Stubblefield, who has spent 13 years with the Oregon program, takes over as interim head coach for the 2026-2027 season. The team will look to move forward after a difficult period that saw the departure of multiple key contributors.
Timeline
Early October 2026: Dana Altman announced his retirement.
Nov. 2, 2026: Oregon opens the season at home against Montana.
Nov. 19, 2026: Oregon plays Oregon State in Portland.
Nov. 24, 2026: Oregon plays St. Johns in Las Vegas.
Dec. 30, 2026: Conference play begins against Ohio State.
Season Trajectory
This transition marks a significant departure from the 2025-2026 Oregon Ducks season where the team missed postseason play. With a largely new roster, the program aims to re-establish stability during this rebuilding year.
The program enters the season with significant roster turnover, meaning the rotation will be heavily reliant on unproven talent alongside Sean Stewart. Fans should anticipate a period of adjustment as interim coach Tony Stubblefield implements his strategy before the search for a permanent hire begins.
The takeaway
The departure of a long-term coach underscores the rapid changes currently impacting collegiate sports rosters. Fans and observers should look to the early non-conference schedule to gauge how the team adapts to its new leadership and depth chart.
What happens next
Oregon will conduct a formal search for a permanent head coach following the conclusion of the 2026-2027 basketball season.
Further reading
Follow the latest updates on the program at Eugene Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AP NEWS.
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