As new Penn State head coach Matt Campbell continues to assemble his first coaching staff, the most pressing vacancy remains at defensive coordinator.
According to CBS Sports, Campbell is targeting a familiar name to fill that role: USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn.
Lynn’s Trojans are preparing to face TCU in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 30, but the SC defensive coordinator will reportedly be skipping his previously scheduled media availability this week.
A former Penn State cornerback, Lynn would represent a return to State College. He earned three All-Big Ten honorable mention selections from 2008 to 2011, recording 162 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four interceptions, and one fumble recovery during his Nittany Lion career.
Following the conclusion of his professional playing career, Lynn transitioned into coaching, beginning in the NFL with the New York Jets in 2014. He went on to hold defensive coaching roles with the Buffalo Bills (2015–16), Los Angeles Chargers (2017), Houston Texans (2018–20), and Baltimore Ravens (2021–22), building a reputation as a fast-rising defensive mind.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Lynn made the jump to the college ranks in 2023, joining Chip Kelly’s staff at UCLA as defensive coordinator. In one season, he orchestrated a dramatic turnaround, transforming a unit that ranked in the bottom third nationally in total defense into the No. 11 total defense in the country. Under his guidance, defensive end Laiatu Latu emerged as the nation’s top defensive player and was selected first among defenders in the 2024 NFL Draft.
After his successful stint at UCLA, Lynn joined Lincoln Riley’s staff at USC. There, he continued his defensive resurgence, improving the Trojans from 121st nationally in scoring defense two seasons ago to a unit allowing 12 fewer points per game.
If hired, Lynn would bring both Penn State ties and proven defensive credentials as Campbell looks to establish his program in State College.
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