After two dismal defensive seasons under head coach Lincoln Riley, USC football has found a new defensive coordinator to replace Alex Grinch.
Former UCLA defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn will move across town to take the same role with the Trojans, Riley announced Friday. At just 34 years old, Lynn will manage a talented, but far too inconsistent USC defense as it transitions to the Big Ten for the 2024 season.
“We are thrilled to welcome D’Anton and his family to USC,” Riley said in a statement. “We simply couldn’t ask for a better addition to our staff. His successful experiences in both college and the NFL make him the perfect fit for our program.”
In his one season as the Bruins’ defensive coordinator in 2023, Lynn oversaw a defense that led the Pac-12 in yards allowed per game and ranked second in points allowed per game. In comparison, UCLA ranked No. 87 in the nation in total defense and No. 92 in scoring defense the year prior. Lynn now will be tasked with completing a similar turnaround of a USC unit that has been one of the worst in the nation in recent years.
Notably, when UCLA trounced USC 38-20 at the Coliseum last month, the Bruins allowed just three rushing yards from an explosive Trojan offense.
The Trojans’ former defensive coordinator Grinch was the recipient of frequent scrutiny across two seasons on Riley’s staff with USC, before being relieved of his duties on November 5 after a 52-42 loss to Washington. Plenty of top defensive recruits in recent classes have come to play at the Coliseum, but the on-field product hasn’t lived up to expectations, especially compared to Riley’s high-octane offense on the other side of the ball. USC currently holds commitments from two defensive players listed in the top 100 of 247Sports’ recruiting rankings for the 2024 class: cornerback Marcelles Williams (No. 76) and edge rusher Kameryn Fountain (No. 85).
Before coming to Westwood, Lynn spent several seasons as an assistant coach in the NFL. He worked with the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens between 2014-22.
As a cornerback at Penn State from 2008-12, Lynn was selected as an All-Big Ten honorable mention three times, recording 162 tackles and four interceptions over four seasons. Lynn was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jets in 2012, but he was cut during training camp. He is the son of Anthony Lynn, the former head coach of the Chargers and current assistant head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.