Oregon: Dana Altman Nervous About Recruiting Prospects

Oregon head coach Dana Altman is looking to turn around the program after a disappointing campaign in 2025-26. 

The Ducks finished the season 12-20, the only season the program has not won 20 games under Altman.

After the losing season, Oregon has lost two starters to the transfer portal this week. Altman needs to find talent in the transfer portal that will help the Ducks return to the NCAA Tournament.

With a 12-20 record, there were already questions about the roster's construction.

During a news conference on Thursday, Altman told reporters that he wasn't surprised to lose players to the transfer portal, noting that the Ducks have to work within a certain budget. Some of that NIL budget decreased after the losing season.

Altman wants to find the right guys in the transfer portal, but he's a little "nervous" about building a roster with so many new players.

 “Well, I’d be lying if I wouldn’t say I was a little nervous, when you have a lot of new faces like that," Altman said, via On3. "But, again, it is an opportunity, as you mentioned. We’re Zooming with some guys that I’m really excited about, making sure we work out all the details, though. We’ve got guys coming in for visits this weekend.

"A number of guys coming in next week so we’re excited about a couple freshmen that are coming in but we know they’re freshmen. In the adjustment to the Big Ten and to get to the level of play that we want to have we know that you know that can be an adjustment period for a freshman."

The reality is that there are consequences for the team and Altman after going 12-20. Players are going to leave the program if they have to take a pay cut.

The challenge for Altman is to find players on a budget that can win more games so they can get more NIL funds in the future. With less cash to spend, the Ducks could have trouble competing in the Big Ten where spending isn't a problem for many programs.