One of the biggest challenges for a new coaching staff is balancing scheme installation with player confidence.
Matt Campbell’s defensive staff, led by new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, believes it has found that balance by resisting the temptation to overload players early in preseason camp.
Rather than installing an entirely new defense at once, the Nittany Lions have built the system gradually, allowing players to master each call before adding another layer. According to linebackers Alex Tatsch and Tony Rojas, that approach has made the transition smoother while allowing the defense to play fast instead of thinking through every assignment.
“I think the way we’ve gone about it has made my job really easy,” sophomore linebacker Alex Tatsch said. “We started installing everything slowly and making sure we were good with every call we put in. Coach has done a really good job of not putting too much on us. Every call we’ve installed so far is something pretty similar to what we learned during the spring and throughout the summer with OTAs. I think the way we’ve gone about it has made it easy to learn the defense, especially with how everything builds on itself.”
Rojas has experienced four different defensive coordinators during his Penn State career, playing under Manny Diaz, Tom Allen, Jim Knowles and now Lynn. Rather than viewing another change as a setback, he believes each system has added to his understanding of the game.
“Obviously each coordinator has had different schemes and different philosophies,” Rojas said. “Having the ability to learn each scheme has been a blessing because, at the next level, you’re going to have to adjust quickly if coaching changes happen. This year, it feels like we’ve taken a little bit from each of those systems and kind of mashed them together, which has been great.
“Coach Lynn has also been true to what I said before that he’s not going to call plays just because he likes them. He’s going to call the plays that our defense executes best. That’s what you want from a defensive coordinator. Knowing he wants to put us in the best possible position to succeed gives us a lot of confidence.”
Although Lynn is only entering his fourth season as a defensive coordinator, Penn State is already his third stop after successful stints at UCLA and USC.
The results speak for themselves.
When Lynn arrived at UCLA in 2023, the Bruins were coming off a season in which they ranked No. 102 nationally in total defense. Under his direction, they improved to No. 11 nationally while producing the nation’s top defensive draft pick in edge rusher Laiatu Latu.
After one season in Westwood, Lynn crossed town to USC and engineered another dramatic turnaround, helping transform what had been one of the worst defenses in school history into a much more disciplined and productive unit.
That track record is one reason Penn State believes a simplified approach can pay dividends.
One of the reasons the Nittany Lions fell short of their championship aspirations in 2025 was their inability to consistently execute Jim Knowles’ complex defensive system. Too often, defenders were thinking instead of reacting, leading to missed assignments and slower play.
Penn State allowed 142.5 rushing yards per game last season, its highest average since 2021. After earning Pro Football Focus defensive grades of 93.4 in 2023 and 90.7 in 2024, both top-20 marks nationally, the Nittany Lions slipped to No. 38 overall in PFF’s defensive grades in 2025.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.The emphasis this fall has been making sure players understand the system without sacrificing the speed that has long defined Penn State’s defense.
“I’d say we’re still working through that, especially during these first few days of camp,” Tatsch said. “Coach is really easy to talk to. He wants us to play whatever lets us play the fastest. He wants to call what best fits our personnel. He’s always listening. All our coaches are on the same page about what’s working, whether it’s with the defensive line or communicating with the linebackers. Everyone’s been really good about that.”
The adjustment hasn’t been limited to the coaching staff.
Penn State also welcomed Iowa State transfers Kooper Ebel, Caleb Bacon and Cael Brezina into the linebacker room, giving the group an influx of players already familiar with Campbell’s culture.
Despite the new faces, the room has maintained the standard established by linebacker coach Dan Connor, Penn State’s all-time leading tackler with 419 career stops.
“I’d define our room as really tight-knit,” Tatsch said. “The guys who came over from Iowa State are great people and really passionate about football. They’ve brought a different mentality, especially in how they approach the meeting room and the film room. That’s been great for everybody. Coach Connor has always emphasized that, and Coach (Tyson) Veidt is the same way. He’s really passionate about the linebackers and just wants to see us succeed.”
Rojas believes the newcomers have helped reinforce one of Campbell’s biggest messages.
“They’ve really opened our eyes,” Rojas said. “They’ve shown us that it’s about more than just football. The culture they brought is different from what we’ve had before. Every coaching staff has its own culture, but they’ve helped establish the new standard we’re trying to build.
“One thing that’s stood out is that nobody is bigger than the program. Even as a senior, I’m listening to younger guys like Cael and Cooper because leadership isn’t about age. Those guys have done a great job leading all of us, including the older players.”
As my conversation with Rojas and Tatsch wrapped up, one theme continued to surface.
Learning another defensive system requires humility as much as intelligence.
Rojas, who has now navigated four different coordinators, believes the biggest key is setting aside pride and remaining coachable.
“It’s really about putting your pride and ego aside and tuning out the outside noise,” Rojas said. “You have to be willing to let people talk to you, give you advice and coach you. Having an open mind and listening is important instead of worrying about what other people are saying. Just put your pride aside, accept criticism and use it to get better.”
