Report: Penn State targeting USC's D'Anton Lynn as defensive coordinator

Penn State is targeting USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn for the same role under Matt Campbell, according to a report from CBS Sports. Lynn is a former Penn State defensive back.

Lynn has spent the last two seasons at USC, where he helped the Trojans’ defense improve after the transition to the Big Ten. They went from allowing 377.1 yards per game in 2024 to 348.8 in 2025. In addition, their points allowed per game went from 24.1 to 22.4 during that time.

Before his time at USC, Lynn was the defensive coordinator at UCLA. The Bruins had the best defense in the Pac-12 during his lone year with the program with 301.5 yards allowed per game, and their 18.4 points allowed per game ranked second in the conference.

Lynn played four seasons at Penn State as a cornerback and was a three-time honorable mention All-Big Ten selection. He went undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft before signing with the New York Jets’ practice squad. He later started his coaching career with the franchise as a seasonal intern.

From there, Lynn worked his way up the coaching ranks in the NFL from 2015-22. He had stints with the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens before becoming UCLA’s defensive coordinator in 2023. His father, Anthony Lynn, currently works as the Washington Commanders’ running backs coach.

D’Anton Lynn’s hiring would be a key addition for Campbell, who’s preparing for his first season as Penn State’s head coach. The Nittany Lions have already announced multiple hires, including offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser, who’s coming over from Iowa State with Campbell. The Cyclones averaged 396.1 yards per game this past season to go with 27.4 points on average.

But one of the biggest additions for Campbell is someone who was already on the staff. Terry Smith is expected to stay on at Penn State as part of a four-year deal, On3’s Pete Nakos previously reported.

Smith served as Penn State’s associate head coach the last three seasons under Franklin before becoming the interim head coach. He had a 3-3 record to close out the 2025 campaign following the coaching change.

Smith has been on Penn State’s coaching staff since 2014 and had strong support from players to get the full-time position. He led the Nittany Lions to three straight wins to end the regular season, and according to Schultz, received interest from Memphis and UConn for their respective head coach openings.

Smith has served as Penn State’s cornerbacks coach since his arrival, and later served as assistant head coach from 2016-20 and took over as associate head coach in 2021. After Penn State announced Franklin’s firing midseason, Smith became the interim head coach and had a 3-3 record in the role.