Former Penn State football standout takes coordinator role at new Big Ten school

The coaching carousel is in full swing across the college football landscape. Penn State football is already in the thick of it this weekend, with the introduction of one new assistant coach and rumors emerging around several Nittany Lions assistants who are top candidates for jobs elsewhere. But it was an ex-Nittany Lion defender who made headlines late Friday night for one of the new incoming Big Ten programs. The USC Trojans have found their new defensive coordinator, and it’s former Penn State football standout D’Anton Lynn.

Former Penn State football standout D’Anton Lynn hired as USC defensive coordinator

It was an extremely disappointing 2023 season out in Los Angeles for the USC Trojans. Despite having reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and one of the best offensive coaching minds in Lincoln Riley, USC limped to a 7-5 record this fall.

The Trojan defense struggled mightily this season, ranking No. 120 in total yards allowed and giving up nearly 35 points per game. Riley fired defensive coordinator Alex Grinch in early November, opening one of the most prominent assistant coaching positions in college football.

Several notable names were linked to the vacancy over the last month, including Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. While he didn’t pluck anyone from James Franklin’s current staff for the position, Riley did tap an ex-Nittany Lion to fill the role. Late Friday night on the East Coast, USC announced former Penn State football standout D’Anton Lynn as its next defensive coordinator.

right guy, right pLAce

Welcome our new Defensive Coordinator, D’Anton Lynn!

🤝 ✌️ pic.twitter.com/qrew0tTal3

— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) December 2, 2023

Lynn was a three-time All-Big Ten honorable mention for Penn State football. Playing under Joe Paterno from 2008 to 2011, Lynn recorded 162 tackles and four interceptions in his Nittany Lion career. Lynn spent nine years as an assistant coach in the NFL before joining the UCLA staff as defensive coordinator last year. In his only season in Westwood, Lynn elevated the Bruins to the No. 11-ranked unit in total defense.

Nittany Lions fans won’t have to wait long to see the former Penn State football standout in action. Penn State football travels to Los Angeles to take on Lynn and the USC Trojans as part of the new-look Big Ten schedule on October 12 next year.

Nittany Lions assistants may still make waves on the coaching market

D’Anton Lynn isn’t the only coach with Penn State ties making headlines on the coaching market this weekend. On Friday, Penn State football officially announced Andy Kotelnicki as its next offensive coordinator, inking a four-year deal.

Several Nittany Lion assistants may be on their way out of Happy Valley, as well. Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz reportedly interviewed with Duke for its head coaching vacancy earlier this week.

Diaz is rumored to be a top candidate for the Duke job, as well as the recent opening at James Madison. Penn State safeties coach Anthony Poindexter is also rumored to be in the mix for the James Madison job.

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