Iowa State defensive coordinator John Heacock could be a top candidate to follow Penn State head coach Matt Campbell to Happy Valley as the Nittany Lions' next defensive coordinator. (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images)
Penn State head coach Matt Campbell has been methodically putting together his first staff over the past week. While many of his hires so far have come from his staff at Iowa State or from the remnants of James Franklin’s staff at Penn State, Campbell is looking at potential outside hires for his defensive coordinator.
On Thursday, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that Campbell is targeting former Penn State defensive back D’Anton Lynn to be the Nittany Lions defensive coordinator in 2026.
The Homecoming: Why D’Anton Lynn Could be “Perfect Fit” for Penn State
Former Penn State defensive back D’Anton Lynn spent four years in State College playing under Joe Paterno from 2008 through 2011.
Lynn went undrafted in the 2012 draft after three honorable mentions for hte All-Big Ten team during his time in Happy Valley and spent two seasons on practice squad and offseason members of the New York Jets and the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats before turning to coaching.
Lynn has spent the past three seasons as a defensive coordinator in the college ranks at UCLA and USC after spending nine seasons as a defensive assistant and position coach in the NFL.
The “Lynn Effect”: A Blueprint of Defensive Turnarounds
At both USC and UCLA, Lynn has led major improvements to the Trojans and Bruins’ defense. In 2025, Lynn’s defense at USC allowed 22.4 points per game, an improvement of 12 points per game since he was hired in 2024.
This is not the first time that Penn State has tried to hire D’Anton Lynn as the Nittany Lions defensive coordinator.
Moving on from Jim Knowles: A New Defensive Philosophy
Before hiring Jim Knowles last offseason, former Penn State head coach James Franklin also targeted Lynn for the position in State College.
Lynn to Penn State is not yet a done deal, but for now, he has at least emerged as Campbell’s target in the search.
King Mack Says the Quiet Part Out Loud About Matt Campbell and Penn State’s Ceiling
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- Penn State Targeting D’Anton Lynn for defensive coordinator, per Report - December 18, 2025
- Penn State QB Ethan Grunkemeyer Breaks Silence on Matt Campbell, Mulls His Future - December 17, 2025
- Penn State Offense is Set: Matt Campbell Raids Iowa State for New Coordinator and 2 Key Assistants - December 11, 2025
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