Penn State’s first-year defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn still has one more decision to make before the season opener, and it’s a familiar one: field or box?
Head coach Matt Campbell said Wednesday morning that the staff is still working through where Lynn will call the defense from when Penn State opens against Marshall on Saturday. Campbell said Lynn worked from the field in the first scrimmage of fall camp, then moved to the box for the second.
“It continues to be a great debate, to be honest with you. The first scrimmage (of fall camp,) D’Anton was on the field, the second scrimmage he was in the box.
I think we were going to sit down and talk, maybe Thursday (or Friday) of ‘where do you feel like that’s a great finality.’ I think the thing that I feel really good no matter where he goes, man, you have three guys that have been coordinators on that defense that can either be down or up.
I think I want to put D’Anton in the best place he feels most comfortable and he feels like he can give us the best opportunity to be our best.”
Lynn isn’t the only Penn State defensive coach with coordinator experience. Defensive line coach Ikaika Malloe was UCLA’s defensive coordinator before arriving in Happy Valley, and linebackers coach Tyson Veidt previously served as Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator.
On the offensive side, there’s already a decision made. First-year Penn State offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser said Tuesday he’ll be in the box while calling plays.
“I try to stay as far away from the field as I can when I’m calling it,” Mouser said.
Penn State’s 2026 season opener against Marshall is set for Saturday at 3:30 on FS1.
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Now Fickell is hoping Sama III will be available against Penn State, which could change the look of Wisconsins offense heading into the matchup. For a Nittany Lions defense that already has enough to sort through, a healthier Badgers backfield would make the challenge a little less predictable. [Read more 🡒]