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D'Anton Lynn agrees to contract extension, will remain at USC

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney01/17/25ErikTMcKinney
D'Anton Lynn coaches the USC defense during a game against the UCLA Bruins
D'Anton Lynn coaches the USC defense during a game against the UCLA Bruins (acscottphotography/WeAreSC)

USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn will remain at USC as the two sides agreed on a contract extension. The news was first reported by Pete Thamel of ESPN and confirmed by sources to WeAreASC.

Lynn was outstanding in his first season with the Trojans after coming over from UCLA. USC allowed just 24.1 points per game this season, down more than 10 points from what the Trojans gave up in 2023 under then-coordinator Alex Grinch.

While the overall stats weren’t elite, USC finished No. 77 in total defense and No. 53 in rushing defense. The Trojans were No. 119 in both of the categories in 2023.

USC finished No. 21 in the nation in opponent third-down conversion percentage after ranking No. 109 in 2023. And the Trojans finished tied for No. 36 in scrimmage plays allowed of 20 yards or more in 2024. USC was No. 124 in that stat in 2023.

The USC defense allowed more than 30 points just three times this season after opponents hit that number eight times in 2023.

The Trojans will welcome back a top playmaker on that side of the ball in safety Kamari Ramsey, who put off the NFL Draft for another year at USC. Defensive end Kameryn Fountain took significant strides late in the season as a true freshman. Linebacker Eric Gentry returns after injuries cut short his 2024 season. And the Trojans have landed a group of impact transfer portal players, including a couple of SEC defensive tackles, cornerback DJ Harvey and safety Bishop Fitzgerald.

Mostly, this gives the USC defense some continuity in a second season under Lynn. The Trojans did lose linebacker coach Matt Entz, who became the head coach at Fresno State. But at this point USC is also scheduled to return defensive line coaches Shaun Nua and Eric Henderson, as well as defensive backs coach Doug Belk.

With the Penn State defensive coordinator position coming open, the Nittany Lions looked like they could become a real threat to pull Lynn back to his alma mater. But USC gets a significant offseason win in keeping Lynn on staff.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz