LOS ANGELES — The University of Southern California has extended the contract of defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn following a successful inaugural season with the Trojans.
While the specifics of the contract extension were not revealed, the move effectively puts to rest speculation regarding Lynn potentially exploring opportunities elsewhere.

In his first year with USC after transitioning from UCLA, Lynn, 35, saw a notable improvement in the team’s defense.
Under his guidance, the Trojans’ defensive performance saw a reduction of 10.3 points and 55 yards allowed per game, compared to the 2023 season metrics recorded when Alex Grinch served as coordinator before his firing by head coach Lincoln Riley.

Significantly, the Trojans made strides in their run defense, allowing more than 30 points in regulation only on one occasion throughout the entire season.
One of the highlights of their turnaround was a commanding shutout victory against Utah State, ending in a score of 48-0, which marked the first shutout for the program in 13 years.

Lynn began his professional journey as a cornerback at Penn State before embracing a coaching career in 2014.
He accumulated nine seasons of experience as an assistant coach in the NFL, including a year spent with the Los Angeles Chargers alongside his father, Anthony Lynn.

His debut season as a coordinator was marked by success at UCLA, where he orchestrated the top-ranking defense within the Pac-12.
Following his impressive reform at USC, Lynn became a highly sought-after candidate, with rumors swirling around potential high-paying jobs at elite institutions or even a return to the NFL, especially following USC’s unsatisfactory 7-6 record despite the upgraded defensive performance.

Moreover, speculations arose this week regarding Penn State’s interest in potentially recruiting Lynn back to his home program after the departure of their defensive coordinator, Tom Allen, who took up a similar role at Clemson on Tuesday.