Lynn leaves UCLA for USC’s D-coordinator task
Paolo Uggetti, ESPNDec 1, 2023, 08:49 PM ET USC on Friday hired UCLA defensive planner D’Anton Lynn to be its brand-new defensive coordinator, the school announced.Lynn, who was in his first season as the Bruins’protective coordinator, led a system that was the best in the Pac-12 and one of the 20 finest in the nation, including the second finest at restricting the run(69.58 yards per game). UCLA also finished eighth nationally in lawns allowed per play(4.55 ). Prior to training at UCLA, Lynn had adequate NFL experience as a defensive assistant with the Costs, Chargers, Texans and Ravens before becoming Baltimore’s safeties coach in 2021. Lynn, who is the boy of former Chargers coach and existing 49ers assistant Anthony Lynn, is just 34 years of ages, but his work with UCLA’s defense this season made him a hot name among training circles.Editor’s Picks 2 Related “We are thrilled to invite D’Anton and his family to USC
,”Trojans coach
Lincoln Riley said.”We just couldn’t request for a better addition to our personnel. His successful experiences in both college and the NFL make him the ideal fit for our program.”In November, Riley fired protective planner Alex Grinch following the Trojans ‘loss to Washington that bookended a two-game stretch in which the team permitted 101 total points.Grinch, who was Oklahoma’s protective coordinator from 2019 to 2021 before leaving for USC together with Riley, led an unit that allowed an average of 34.5 points per game this season and remained in the bottom 30 in the nation in nearly every analytical category, including 120th in rushing defense and 107th versus the pass at that point of the season.Even going back to last season, when USC ended up the year permitting 47 indicate Utah in the Pac-12 title game loss and 46 indicate Tulane in the Cotton Bowl defeat, Grinch had been the subject of much criticism. Riley openly waited him until outcomes were far too bad to ignore.While USC was connected to different prospects, including Nebraska’s Tony White– who was kept and provided a raise, the school announced Friday– Riley arrived at a crosstown opponent for his hire. Lynn now will be entrusted with reversing USC’s defense, which was a big part of the Trojans’battles in their frustrating 7-5 campaign.While Lynn has actually limited experience as a protective organizer, his 1 year track record is stellar. The Bruins was among only 11 teams this season to allow less than 300 lawns per game.Lynn’s hire is anticipated to prompt a revamping of USC’s protective personnel as the Trojans head to the Huge Ten next season.