Baltimore Ravens safeties coach D'Anton Lynn walks to the field before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State football announced the addition of D’Anton Lynn to its staff as the Nittany Lions’ defensive coordinator. Lynn makes his return to Happy Valley, lettering with the football team from 2008 to 2011.

Lynn comes to Penn State following a two-year stint as the defensive coordinator for USC. Prior to the Trojans, he was the defensive coordinator at UCLA for one season following a nine-year career coaching in the NFL.

He was a three-time All-Big Ten honorable mention cornerback for the Nittany Lions. Over his career, he appeared in 47 games and started 37 of his final 38, recording 162 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, four interceptions, and one fumble recovery. In 2010, he ranked second on the team with 75 total tackles and tied for the team lead with three interceptions, highlighting his impact as a consistent and reliable presence in the secondary.

Since 2023, Lynn’s only year as a defensive coordinator with the UCLA Bruins, he is fifth among defensive coordinators in yards per completions (10.48) and red zone rush touchdown percentage (25.0%), eighth in fewest fourth quarter points allowed per game (4.74), and 10th in fewest rush touchdowns per season (12.0) and red zone touchdown percentage (51.61%).

During the 2025 season, USC ranked second in the Big Ten in red zone defense (73.7%; 13th nationally) and third down conversion defense (33.5%; 21st).

In Lynn’s first season with the Trojans, USC held opponents to an average of just 24.1 points per game, improving from 34.4 in 2023. The Trojans finished the 2024 season ranked second in the Big Ten and 21st nationally in third-down conversion percentage defense (33.5%), compared to ranking No. 106 (43.6%) in 2023.

Prior to USC, Lynn served as the defensive coordinator at UCLA in 2023, where he completely transformed the Bruin defense. He elevated UCLA’s defense from ranking No. 87 in 2022 to finishing the 2023 regular season ranked No. 10 in the nation.

Lynn’s defense finished the regular season ranked first in the nation in rushing defense (69.6 yards per game), second in yards per rush allowed (2.33) and third in sacks per game (3.42).

Opponents averaged just 299.0 yards per game, which was the lowest by a Bruin team since 1992 (297.8).

Additionally, UCLA’s 41 sacks ranked fourth nationally and were the most by a Bruin defense since 2012. The Bruins also ranked fourth in the nation in tackles for loss with 99.

UCLA allowed multiple touchdowns in just five games in 2023, while holding nine of its opponents to 20 points or less and only allowing three rushing touchdowns all season.