STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — The defensive staff is complete.
Penn State officially announced the hiring of D’Anton Lynn as Defensive Coordinator on Saturday. Lynn, a former Nittany Lion defensive back, returns to State College after a successful stint calling defenses at USC.
“Coming home means everything,” Lynn said in a statement. “We’re going to build a defense that reflects the blue-collar toughness of this university.”
Tactical Breakdown: Structure over Chaos
The hire of D’Anton Lynn represents a distinct philosophical pivot from the Manny Diaz era.
- The Shift: While Diaz relied on “chaos blitzes” and aggressive gaps, Lynn emphasizes “structural integrity.” His defenses at UCLA and USC (significantly improved in 2024-25) utilized detailed “creeper pressures” (simulated blitzes) that confuse quarterbacks without sacrificing coverage shells.
- The Formation: Expect to see a “Multiple 3-4” base that morphs frequently into a 2-4-5 nickel package. This puts a premium on versatile “Stand-up Ends” (like Abdul Carter, if he stays) rather than traditional hand-in-dirt defensive ends.
The Quarterback Hunt
With Ethan Grunkemeyer in the portal, all eyes are on Rocco Becht. The reports are intensifying that the former Iowa State standout will reunite with Matt Campbell. Becht officially entered the transfer portal on January 2 and is expected to visit State College imminently.
Another name to watch: Nick Marsh. The Michigan State wide receiver is officially in the portal, and mutual interest with Penn State is high.