Penn State is going with a familiar face to lead its defense.
The Nittany Lions are close to hiring USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn to fill the role, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
Lynn played for the program from 2008-2011 as a defensive back before moving on to pro football, playing for two more years before taking a coaching internship position in 2014 with the New York Jets. He moved up through the ranks before becoming UCLA’s defensive coordinator in 2023 and eventually USC’s DC in 2024.
He will be Penn State’s first defensive coordinator under new head coach Matt Campbell, joining a staff that already features former PSU player Terry Smith as associate head coach and could also have fellow alum Dan Connor return as linebackers coach. Campbell has filled out most of his staff, with key openings currently at LBs coach (which Connor could fill), defensive line coach and running backs coach.
Lynn was a target of former Penn State head coach James Franklin last year when he ultimately hired Jim Knowles as the program’s defensive coordinator. Knowles is now the DC at Tennessee after an up-and-down lone season in Happy Valley.
The new defensive coordinator is the son of Washington Commanders assistant coach Anthony Lynn, who led the Los Angeles Chargers as head coach from 2017-2020.
This story was originally published December 29, 2025 at 12:12 PM.
Related Stories from Centre Daily Times
Jon Sauber
Centre Daily Times
Jon Sauber covers Penn State football and men’s basketball for the Centre Daily Times. He earned his B.A. in digital and print journalism from Penn State and his M.A. in sports journalism from IUPUI. His previous stops include jobs at The Indianapolis Star, the NCAA, and Rivals.
