Penn State is bringing one of its own back home - and not just any alum, but a rising defensive mind who knows what it means to wear the blue and white. D’Anton Lynn is set to become the Nittany Lions’ new defensive coordinator, and for fans who remember his playing days, this hire hits close to home.
Lynn, a former Penn State defensive back, began his college career in 2008 and quickly became a staple in the secondary. By 2009, he was a starter.
By the end of his career, he had been through one of the most turbulent chapters in program history - and emerged as a three-time All-Big Ten selection. Now, at just 36 years old, he’s returning to lead the very unit he once anchored.
A Scare That Could Have Changed Everything
Lynn’s playing career nearly took a tragic turn in 2011. During a game against Eastern Michigan, he suffered a head and neck injury that left the entire Penn State sideline - and head coach Joe Paterno - holding their breath.
“We were scared to death,” Paterno said after the game. “But the underlying fact is that Lynn is not anywhere near as severe as we were scared to death of.”
The injury turned out to be a concussion. Lynn missed only one game and went on to finish the season as one of the Big Ten’s top defensive backs.
But it was a moment that underscored how fragile a football career can be. Had things gone differently, Lynn’s path - and Penn State’s new hire - might look very different today.
Football is in His Blood
Lynn didn’t just grow up around the game - he grew up inside it. His father, Anthony Lynn, played 10 years in the NFL before transitioning into coaching.
D’Anton was there for it all. From training camps with the Denver Broncos to late-night film sessions, young D’Anton soaked it all in.
By the time Anthony became head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017, D’Anton was ready to take his first NFL coaching job - on his dad’s staff.
“He used to bring me to the office all the time,” Lynn said in 2019. “When I started coaching, I was on staff with him. I learned a lot just watching how he dealt with players and handled the staff.”
That early exposure helped shape D’Anton’s coaching style. He’s known for being detail-oriented, demanding, and deeply thoughtful - traits that have earned him praise at every stop.
A ‘Young Mike Tomlin’
That’s not just a catchy comparison - it comes from Rob Ryan, a longtime NFL coach who worked with Lynn at USC.
“This is a young Mike Tomlin, way I look at him,” Ryan said. “D’Anton’s as sharp as he can be.
He’s a wonderful person. He’s a great teacher.”
High praise, and not just for his football IQ. Lynn’s reputation extends beyond X’s and O’s. He’s known for connecting with players - all players, not just starters.
Respected by Players and Peers Alike
Jeff Faris, now the head coach at Austin Peay, worked with Lynn at UCLA in 2023 and saw it firsthand.
“There was just always this constant stream of players making their way to D-Lynn’s office,” Faris said. “And not just the starters. There were true freshmen, guys not even traveling.”
Lynn isn’t a rah-rah personality. He’s not loud.
But players gravitate toward him because he’s authentic. He’s been in their shoes.
He knows the grind. And he’s not afraid to challenge them - or himself.
“With him, there’s no stone left unturned,” Faris added. “He thinks about everything deeply, thoroughly, and it’s never about him. It’s just what is the best answer to get it done.”
The Numbers Back It Up
Lynn’s coaching résumé isn’t just built on relationships - it’s built on results. When he took over as defensive coordinator at UCLA, the Bruins were coming off a season in which they ranked 92nd in scoring defense. By the end of the 2023 season, they were 14th.
And that turnaround came despite serious offensive struggles. UCLA’s offense couldn’t stay on the field, which meant the defense had to carry the load. Lynn’s unit didn’t just survive - it thrived.
That performance earned him a shot at USC, where he inherited a defense that ranked 121st out of 133 FBS teams in 2023. In his first year, USC jumped to 58th.
The following year? 49th.
That’s not just incremental improvement - that’s a culture shift.
“This new defensive identity is way different than in previous years,” USC defensive end Braylan Shelby said in 2024. “We hold ourselves accountable. We hold ourselves to a standard.”
And Now, He’s Coming Home
Few programs hold defensive standards as high as Penn State. From Linebacker U to generations of hard-nosed, fundamentally sound football, defense is part of the Nittany Lion identity. Lynn knows that - because he lived it.
Now he returns, not just as a former player, but as a coach with a proven track record of building tough, disciplined defenses. He’s walked the walk in Happy Valley. Now, he’s ready to lead.
Penn State didn’t just hire a coordinator. They brought back one of their own - a coach who understands the culture, commands respect, and has already shown he can elevate a defense.
For a program that prides itself on continuity, toughness, and tradition, D’Anton Lynn might be the perfect fit.