USC signed defensive coordinator D’Antona Lynn to a contract extension after a strong debut season

LOS ANGELES — Southern California signed defensive coordinator D’Antona Lynn to a contract extension after his strong debut season with the Trojans.

USC did not disclose the details of Lynn’s new contract in its announcement, but the extension should end talk of Lynn’s possible departure for other jobs.

The Trojans’ defense has improved dramatically in the first season under the guidance of the 35-year-old Lynn, who was hired a year ago from rival UCLA.

With a streamlined defensive scheme and a renewed emphasis on the offensive game, USC gave up 10.3 fewer points per game and 55 fewer yards per game under Lynn than it allowed in the 2023 season under coordinator Alex Grinch, who was fired by Lincoln at the end of the Riley year.

The Trojans significantly improved their run defense under Lynn while allowing more than 30 points in regulation just once on the season. They even recorded their first shutout win in 13 years, beating Utah State 48-0.

Lynn was the starting quarterback at Penn State before he began his coaching career in 2014. He spent nine seasons as an assistant in the NFL, including one year on the staff of his father, Anthony Lynn, with the Los Angeles Chargers.

He was immediately successful in his first season as coordinator, building the top-ranked defense in the Pac-12 at UCLA. Another outstanding rebuilding job at USC made him a popular candidate in rumors of a big-money move to other top schools or even back to the NFL, especially after USC finished another disappointing season under Riley at 7-6 despite significantly improved defense.

Penn State was thought to be interested in luring Lynn back to his alma mater this week after his defensive coordinator, Tom Allen, left for the same job at Clemson.