D’Anton Lynn Named New USC Football Defensive Coordinator
December 01, 2023 | Football
LOS ANGELES--D'Anton Lynn, who has experience coaching at both the collegiate and NFL levels, has been named USC's new defensive coordinator, head coach Lincoln Riley announced today (Dec. 1).
"We are thrilled to welcome D'Anton and his family to USC," said Riley. "We simply couldn't ask for a better addition to our staff. His successful experiences in both college and the NFL make him the perfect fit for our program. I hope you will join me in welcoming him to the Trojan Family."
Lynn most recently served as the defensive coordinator at UCLA where he completely transformed the Bruin defense. He elevated UCLA's defense from ranking No. 87 in 2022 to finishing the 2023 regular season ranked No. 11 in the nation.
Lynn's defense finished the regular season ranked first in the nation in rushing defense (69.6 yards per game), second in the nation in yards per rush allowed (2.33) and third in the nation in sacks per game (3.42). Opponents averaged just 299.0 yards per game, which was the lowest by a Bruin team since 1992 (297.8). Additionally, UCLA's 41 sacks rank fourth nationally and are the most by a Bruin defense since 2012. UCLA also ranks fourth in the nation in tackles for loss with 99. The Bruins allowed multiple touchdowns in just 5 games in 2023. UCLA held 9 of its opponents to 20 points or less and only allowed 3 rushing touchdowns all season.
Lynn also tutored Bruin star DE Laiatu Latu, who leads the nation in tackles for loss per game (1.8) and is fourth nationally in sacks per game (1.08). Latu is currently a finalist for the Lombardi Award, Bednarik Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Prior to arriving in Los Angeles, Lynn spent 9 seasons in the NFL. He was the safeties coach for the Baltimore Ravens for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. In 2022, the Ravens surrendered just 18.5 points per game, which ranked third in the NFL. Lynn guided a position group that featured Chuck Clark, who piled up a career-high 101 total tackles, and Marcus Williams, who led the defense with 4 interceptions. Lynn also developed rookie Kyle Hamilton, who collected 62 tackles. He was also chosen as East head coach for the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas.
Lynn spent 2020 as the Houston Texans secondary coach after spending 2 years as their assistant secondary coach (2018-19). Houston won back-to-back AFC South championships in 2018 and 2019. The 2018 team gave up 19.8 points per game, which tied for the league's fourth-best mark. The Texans +13 turnover differential in 2018 still holds a franchise record and was second in the league. Safety Justin Reid excelled in the defensive backfield under Lynn, tallying 249 total tackles and 5 interceptions in 41 games.
In 2017, Lynn held a defensive assistant role with the Los Angeles Chargers when his father, Anthony Lynn, was the head coach. He worked primarily with a linebacker group that contributed to the NFL's best red zone defense. The Chargers defense gave up the third-fewest points per game at 17.0 and was tied for fifth in sacks with 43. Joey Bosa (12.5, seventh) and Melvin Ingram (10.5, 15th) were each listed among the league leaders for sacks.
Lynn was an assistant with the Buffalo Bills from 2015-16. He coached a defense that finished fourth in both passing touchdowns allowed with 19 and in opponent completion percentage of 59.9% in 2016. The 2015 squad tied for the league lead with 93 passes defended and held opponents to the third-lowest completion percentage of 57.6%.
Lynn began his coaching career as a seasonal intern for the New York Jets in 2014.
Prior to his coaching career, he worked in the scouting department for the Jets in 2013.
Lynn was signed by the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2012 before finishing his playing career with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League in 2013.
Lynn was a three-time All-Big Ten honorable mention cornerback for Penn State. While playing for the Nittany Lions from 2008-11, he recorded 162 total tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery in 47 games, while starting 37 of his last 38 played. In 2010, Lynn was second among the Nittany Lions with 75 total tackles and tied for the team lead with 3 interceptions.
Lynn and his wife, Courtney, have one child, Anthony III. His father, Anthony, currently serves as the assistant head coach/running backs coach for the San Francisco 49ers.
Lynn's hiring is contingent upon completion of a successful University background screening.
"We are thrilled to welcome D'Anton and his family to USC," said Riley. "We simply couldn't ask for a better addition to our staff. His successful experiences in both college and the NFL make him the perfect fit for our program. I hope you will join me in welcoming him to the Trojan Family."
Lynn most recently served as the defensive coordinator at UCLA where he completely transformed the Bruin defense. He elevated UCLA's defense from ranking No. 87 in 2022 to finishing the 2023 regular season ranked No. 11 in the nation.
Lynn's defense finished the regular season ranked first in the nation in rushing defense (69.6 yards per game), second in the nation in yards per rush allowed (2.33) and third in the nation in sacks per game (3.42). Opponents averaged just 299.0 yards per game, which was the lowest by a Bruin team since 1992 (297.8). Additionally, UCLA's 41 sacks rank fourth nationally and are the most by a Bruin defense since 2012. UCLA also ranks fourth in the nation in tackles for loss with 99. The Bruins allowed multiple touchdowns in just 5 games in 2023. UCLA held 9 of its opponents to 20 points or less and only allowed 3 rushing touchdowns all season.
Lynn also tutored Bruin star DE Laiatu Latu, who leads the nation in tackles for loss per game (1.8) and is fourth nationally in sacks per game (1.08). Latu is currently a finalist for the Lombardi Award, Bednarik Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Prior to arriving in Los Angeles, Lynn spent 9 seasons in the NFL. He was the safeties coach for the Baltimore Ravens for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. In 2022, the Ravens surrendered just 18.5 points per game, which ranked third in the NFL. Lynn guided a position group that featured Chuck Clark, who piled up a career-high 101 total tackles, and Marcus Williams, who led the defense with 4 interceptions. Lynn also developed rookie Kyle Hamilton, who collected 62 tackles. He was also chosen as East head coach for the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas.
Lynn spent 2020 as the Houston Texans secondary coach after spending 2 years as their assistant secondary coach (2018-19). Houston won back-to-back AFC South championships in 2018 and 2019. The 2018 team gave up 19.8 points per game, which tied for the league's fourth-best mark. The Texans +13 turnover differential in 2018 still holds a franchise record and was second in the league. Safety Justin Reid excelled in the defensive backfield under Lynn, tallying 249 total tackles and 5 interceptions in 41 games.
In 2017, Lynn held a defensive assistant role with the Los Angeles Chargers when his father, Anthony Lynn, was the head coach. He worked primarily with a linebacker group that contributed to the NFL's best red zone defense. The Chargers defense gave up the third-fewest points per game at 17.0 and was tied for fifth in sacks with 43. Joey Bosa (12.5, seventh) and Melvin Ingram (10.5, 15th) were each listed among the league leaders for sacks.
Lynn was an assistant with the Buffalo Bills from 2015-16. He coached a defense that finished fourth in both passing touchdowns allowed with 19 and in opponent completion percentage of 59.9% in 2016. The 2015 squad tied for the league lead with 93 passes defended and held opponents to the third-lowest completion percentage of 57.6%.
Lynn began his coaching career as a seasonal intern for the New York Jets in 2014.
Prior to his coaching career, he worked in the scouting department for the Jets in 2013.
Lynn was signed by the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2012 before finishing his playing career with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League in 2013.
Lynn was a three-time All-Big Ten honorable mention cornerback for Penn State. While playing for the Nittany Lions from 2008-11, he recorded 162 total tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery in 47 games, while starting 37 of his last 38 played. In 2010, Lynn was second among the Nittany Lions with 75 total tackles and tied for the team lead with 3 interceptions.
Lynn and his wife, Courtney, have one child, Anthony III. His father, Anthony, currently serves as the assistant head coach/running backs coach for the San Francisco 49ers.
Lynn's hiring is contingent upon completion of a successful University background screening.
Game Preview: Cody Kessler breaks down USC vs Georgia Southern | The Victory Podcast with Keely Eure
Thursday, September 04
USC DC D'Anton Lynn | Wednesday of Georgia Southern Week
Wednesday, September 03
USC LB Elijah Newby | Wednesday of Georgia Southern Week
Wednesday, September 03
USC Safety Christian Pierce | Wednesday of Georgia Southern Week
Wednesday, September 03
