Penn State Turns to a Familiar Face to Lead Its Defense: D’Anton Lynn Set to Return to Happy Valley
Penn State is bringing one of its own back to Happy Valley. The program is closing in on hiring D’Anton Lynn as its next defensive coordinator, according to a source familiar with the situation - a move that signals both continuity and a fresh start under new head coach Matt Campbell.
Lynn knows what it means to wear the blue and white. He was a standout defensive back for the Nittany Lions from 2008 to 2011, bringing a physical, intelligent presence to the secondary.
After a brief stint in the NFL, he transitioned into coaching, starting as an intern with the New York Jets in 2014. From there, he steadily climbed the ranks, making stops in the NFL and college football before landing as UCLA’s defensive coordinator in 2023.
He then took over the same role at USC in 2024, where his aggressive, modern defensive schemes turned heads across the country.
Now, he’s set to become the first defensive coordinator of the Matt Campbell era at Penn State - a homecoming that carries both emotional weight and strategic value.
Campbell, who’s been assembling his staff with a mix of Penn State ties and proven coaching experience, already has Terry Smith, another former Nittany Lion, in place as associate head coach. There’s also a strong possibility that Dan Connor, a Penn State legend at linebacker, could return to coach the position he once dominated.
While nothing’s official yet, Connor is in the mix to fill the linebackers coach opening. The staff still has key vacancies at defensive line and running backs coach.
This isn’t the first time Lynn’s name has surfaced in connection with the Penn State DC job. He was reportedly on James Franklin’s radar last year before the program ultimately hired Jim Knowles. That partnership lasted just one season, with Knowles now moving on to Tennessee after a rocky year in State College.
Lynn brings not just a Penn State pedigree but also a coaching lineage. He’s the son of Anthony Lynn, the former Los Angeles Chargers head coach and current assistant with the Washington Commanders. That background has helped shape D’Anton’s approach - one that blends NFL-caliber discipline with the adaptability required in today’s college game.
For Campbell, this hire is more than a nod to the past - it’s a calculated move to stabilize and elevate a defense that’s looking to reassert itself as one of the Big Ten’s best. Lynn’s defenses at both UCLA and USC were known for their aggressive fronts and creative blitz packages, and if he can bring that same energy to Penn State, the Nittany Lions could be looking at a defensive resurgence.
There’s still work to do in rounding out the staff, but with Lynn on board, Campbell has a key piece in place. And for Penn State fans, there’s something special about seeing a former player return to lead the charge - especially when that player brings the kind of upside Lynn does.