Ravens Coach D'Anton Lynn Becomes UCLA's Defensive Boss
D'Anton Lynn is (Southern) California dreaming.
The Baltimore Ravens' safeties coach earned his first defensive coordinator job on Monday, as he'll oversee UCLA's unit this fall under Bruins head coach Chip Kelly. Lynn is set to succeed Bill McGovern, who has been moved to an administrative role after missing parts of last season with health issues.
A Penn State alum, the 33-year-old Lynn managed the Ravens' safeties for each of the last two seasons, having previously held a variety of defensive roles with the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers (working under his father, then-Chargers head coach Anthony), and Houston Texans.
Lynn oversaw the rookie season of 2022 first-round pick Kyle Hamilton while Marcus Williams tied his career-best with a team-best four interceptions. It was part of a defensive effort that ranked third in the NFL in points allowed (315) and fifth in opponent's touchdown passes (20).
Prior to his NFL entry, Lynn was an All-Big Ten team selection for three seasons and later spent a summer with the Jets.
The Bruins will entrust Lynn with improving a defense that allowed over 275 passing yards a game last season, the second-worst rate in the Pac-12. UCLA earned nine wins for the first time since 2014 and ranked 21st in the final Associated Press poll but saw several crucial games slip through their grasp due to late defensive lapses: they dropped three of their final four games after an 8-1 start and went 1-4 when they allowed at least 34 points (including a last-minute loss to Pitt in the Sun Bowl.
UCLA opens its 2023 season against Coastal Carolina on Sept. 2 at the Rose Bowl.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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