UCLA football coach Chip Kelly has officially hired D’Anton Lynn as the Bruins’ new defensive coordinator.
The 33-year-old coach comes from Baltimore where he spent two seasons as the Ravens’ safeties coach. He will become the second defensive coordinator in as many years, replacing Bill McGovern.
Lynn has nine years of NFL coaching experience, including one season with his father and former Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn.
D’Anton Lynn played cornerback at Penn State (2008-11) and was a three-time All-Big Ten honorable mention.
McGovern remains with the program as the director of football administration.. He missed five of the last six games due to an unspecified health issue.
He was hired to join Chip Kelly’s staff in 2021, replacing Jerry Azzinaro. He has close to four decades of coaching experience at the college and NFL levels. McGovern was Kelly’s highest-paid assistant, having signed a two-year deal worth $1,800,000 ($900,000 each year).
McGovern returned to the coaches’ booth for the Bruins’ Sun Bowl appearance against Pitt on Dec. 31 in El Paso. He told reporters during a press conference in the week leading up to the bowl game that he expected to be back with the team for the final year of his contract in 2023.
Defensive analyst Clancy Pendergast filled in for McGovern during his absence in the booth.
The Bruins ranked 87th in total defense, allowing 403.3 yards per game in 2022. The defense, under Azzinaro, ranked 70th in the nation for total yards allowed per game (384.4) at the end of the 2021 season.
Kelly’s defensive staff had already seen changes this offseason.
Defensive line coach Chad Kauha’aha’a announced that he had parted ways with UCLA to pursue other opportunities. Outside linebackers coach Ikaika Malloe will coach the defensive line.
Kodi Whitfield was added to the staff as cornerbacks coach and was already out recruiting before the hire was made public. The position was not held by a coach in 2022.
Brian…
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