Dan Lanning wife Sauphia Lanning is a name that often comes up when people talk about the Oregon Ducks head coach. Beyond the spotlight of football games and coaching success, there is a powerful story about love, family, and strength. Sauphia is not just a coach’s wife, she is a mother, a cancer survivor, and a woman whose journey has inspired many. To understand her life fully, we need to look deeper at her background, health struggles, family, and personal story.
Quick Bio Table of Sauphia Lanning
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Sauphia Lanning |
Maiden Name | Reported as Vorngsam |
Date of Birth | 1987 |
Age (2025) | 38 Years Old |
Place of Birth | Kansas City, Missouri, USA |
Nationality | American |
Education | Northwest Missouri State University (Advertising & PR) |
Known For | Wife of Oregon Ducks Head Coach Dan Lanning |
Spouse | Married to Dan Lanning (since October 17, 2009) |
Children | Three sons — Caden, Kniles, Titan |
Health Journey | Osteosarcoma cancer survivor (diagnosed 2016, cancer-free since 2017) |
Social Media | Instagram: @sauphialanning (private) |
Special Mention | Inspired Oregon “Stomp Out Cancer” theme, honored in Dan’s tattoo |
Early Life and Education
Sauphia Lanning was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1987. That makes her 38 years old in 2025. She grew up in Missouri and has kept many details about her childhood and parents private. She studied at Northwest Missouri State University where she earned her degree in advertising and public relations between 2005 and 2009. This background in communication shows that she always had an interest in media and storytelling.

How Dan and Sauphia Met
The story of how Dan Lanning wife Sauphia met her future husband is simple but sweet. In 2005, both of them worked at a steakhouse in Liberty, Missouri. Their connection grew stronger and turned into love. After dating for a few years, they tied the knot on October 17, 2009. This marriage has stood strong through challenges in life and football.
Building a Family
Family is the center of their lives. Dan and Sauphia have three sons — Caden, Kniles, and Titan. Each boy brings joy and energy to their household, and Sauphia is often described as the heart of the family. While Dan is busy with coaching duties, she manages much of the family life, showing balance between career and home.
Health Struggles and Cancer Battle
The most powerful part of Sauphia’s journey is her fight against cancer. In 2016, she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer. This was a life-changing moment for the family. She went through difficult treatment at West Cancer Center, including chemotherapy. By May 2017, she was strong enough to ring the bell that marks the end of chemotherapy. Since then, she has been cancer-free, and her recovery has inspired many fans and families facing the same disease.
Dan’s Tattoo Tribute
In 2023, Dan Lanning honored his wife with a tattoo that tells their story. The tattoo includes a portrait of Sauphia Lanning, their children’s names, a boomerang for the steakhouse where they met, the number 816 for their Kansas City area code, and a yellow ribbon for sarcoma awareness. This tattoo is not only art, it is also a symbol of his love and her survival.
Nationality and Ethnicity
People often search for “what nationality is Sauphia Lanning” or “what ethnicity is Sauphia Lanning.” The truth is, she is American and grew up in Missouri. Her reported maiden name is Vorngsam, which has led some people to ask if she is Asian, Filipino, or Hispanic. However, Sauphia has never publicly confirmed her ethnicity or race. It is important to respect that she prefers to keep this part of her life private.
Social Media and Private Life
Unlike her husband, Sauphia does not share much on public platforms. Her Instagram account (@sauphialanning) is private, and she mostly appears in family photos that Dan Lanning posts on his own profile. This shows that while she is often in the spotlight because of her husband’s career, she prefers to live a quieter life.
Questions About Sauphia Lanning
Did Sauphia Lanning Have Cancer?
Yes, in 2016 she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, but after long treatment, she became cancer-free in 2017. Her survival is a strong part of her story.
Is Sauphia Lanning Pregnant?
There are no reliable reports that Dan Lanning wife Sauphia is pregnant again. She and Dan already share three sons.
Is She Asian, Filipino, or Hispanic?
Many fans ask about her background, but there is no confirmed answer. She is American, and while her maiden name suggests Asian roots, Sauphia herself has not confirmed her ethnicity.
What Is Her Age?
Born in 1987, Sauphia Lanning is 38 years old in 2025.
Does She Have Tattoos?
While she may have small tattoos, the most famous tattoo story is about her husband Dan, who had her portrait and family symbols inked on his body.
Sauphia’s Role in Dan’s Career
Behind every successful coach, there is often a strong partner. For Dan Lanning, his wife Sauphia has been that support system. From the early days of coaching to the pressure of leading the Oregon Ducks, she has been by his side. Her fight with cancer showed Dan and his players the meaning of resilience, and even inspired Oregon’s special “Stomp Out Cancer” uniforms in a Nike collaboration.

Strength and Inspiration
Sauphia’s journey is more than just being the wife of Dan Lanning. She is a woman who faced life’s toughest battle and won. She is a mother raising three energetic boys and a partner who stands behind one of the brightest football coaches in the nation. Her story is about courage, survival, and the power of family.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Dan Lanning’s wife?
Dan Lanning’s wife is Sauphia Lanning, an American from Kansas City, Missouri, and a cancer survivor.
2. How many children do Dan and Sauphia Lanning have?
They have three sons Caden, Kniles, and Titan.
3. Did Sauphia Lanning have cancer?
Yes, she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2016 but has been cancer-free since 2017.
4. What is Sauphia Lanning’s nationality and ethnicity?
She is American. Her ethnicity is not confirmed publicly.
5. What is unique about Dan Lanning’s tattoo?
Dan has a tattoo of Sauphia’s portrait, their children’s names, and symbols of their love story and cancer battle.
Final Thoughts
The story of Dan Lanning wife Sauphia Lanning is both inspiring and human. She has faced serious health struggles, supported her husband’s coaching career, and raised three sons, all while choosing to live a private life. Fans may see her in the background of big games or on Dan’s Instagram, but her role in the Lanning family is central and powerful. Whether it is her fight with cancer, her life as a mother, or the way she inspires Dan’s players, Sauphia’s story is one of strength and love.
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