Kenny Dillingham had the same message to every Oregon player he embraced following the Ducks’ 49-13 win over Arizona State on Saturday.

“Win the Pac-12, win the natty,” he told them.

Dillingham, who served as Oregon’s offensive coordinator last season, was on the opposite sideline of many close friends on Saturday. He watched quarterback Bo Nix tie a school record with six first-half touchdown passes. He watched the Ducks thoroughly control the game and roll to their 10th win of the season. He spoke highly of Dan Lanning and the Oregon program throughout the week. He gushed about the relationship with Nix.

And after the game, it was obvious how much he still cares about the program that helped him land his dream job.

The relationship between Nix and Dillingham is well documented. The relationship between the two head coaches is special as well.

“We both appreciate each other,” Lanning said after the game. “It’s not that long ago, I was sitting here as a GA at Arizona State and Kenny was a high school coach in the back of that room. It’s great to see what both of us have been able to get and it’s about the people around us that have gotten us there. I know he’s got big things to accomplish here. I know the future’s bright. Grateful for him, appreciate him, and hopeful that he’s able to get things going, which I know he will.”