Lincoln Riley has more on his plate than just wins this season. The Trojans are off to a perfect 3-0 start, but headlines aren’t just about their high-flying offense. Because their Big Ten rival’s firing of HC DeShaun Foster sparked whispers that USC’s defensive coordinator is now at the top of their wish list. Surely, losing a key assistant to a rival would be a major blow. But Riley hasn’t held back, making it clear he won’t stand by idly while the Big Ten program tries to poach his staff.

During the September 19 press conference, a reporter asked Riley, “In your second season with DC Danton Lynn, how has his impact really manifested?” Riley was candid in his response. “Yeah, he’s doing a really nice job,” stated Riley. “Even though it’s his third season as a coordinator, this is the first time he’s done it two years in a row at the same place. There’s a big difference between year one, when you’re just trying to implement, and year two, when you’re really building and growing with your staff, with the players.” Moreover, Riley continued, “It’s been a solid challenge for him, and he’s attacking it like he always does. We’ve got a really strong staff around him, and he’s doing a great job leading the group.” And why not?

At just 34, D’Anton Lynn has already built an impressive coaching resume across the NFL and CFB. Before joining USC in December 2023, he transformed UCLA’s defense, leading the Bruins to first in the Pac-12 in total yards allowed and 2nd in points per game in 2023. On top of that, Lynn cut his teeth in the NFL from 2015 to 2022 as a defensive assistant and position coach, gaining pro-level insight that he now brings to the college game. Keeping that in mind, his impact at USC was immediate: the Trojans’ defense dropped from 34 points per game to 24 in his first season. To be honest, Lynn’s mix of experience, strategy, and leadership has quickly made him one of the brightest defensive minds in the sport. Here, Lincoln Riley has nothing but praise for D’Anton Lynn and the impact he’s had at USC.

“He does a good job leading the group,” remarked Riley. “I think he’s getting more comfortable with all things college football. Obviously, with such an NFL background… it’s the same thing for somebody like D’Anton, whose career was mostly tied up in that league.” Then Riley emphasized the challenge of adjusting to CFB, not just on the field, but off it: building rosters, managing players, and handling all the nuances of the program. “I think he’s adjusting nicely. And obviously, he’s made a tremendous impact in our program,” said the Trojans HC. Now, with Lynn’s leadership and proven success, it seems Riley knows poaching him won’t be an easy task for UCLA. But here’s the catch.

When the reporter asked about the rumors linking Lynn to UCLA’s head coaching opportunity, Riley didn’t break a sweat. He views it as a job requirement. “He certainly has the capability to,” pointed out Riley. “I want our guys to get those opportunities. I’m always a proponent of that.” And Riley doubled down on his take, stating, “I certainly believe if Dan wants to be a head coach, he would be a really good one.” It’s a confident answer, even if USC’s $4M investment in Lynn could ultimately aid a rival. But with Riley clear about Lynn, the question remains: is D’Anton Lynn thinking of leaving USC?

Lincoln Riley’s DC weighs in on the latest speculation

At Wednesday’s media session, USC DC D’Anton Lynn shut down the chatter about the UCLA head coaching job. Simply because his focus is squarely on the Trojans and Saturday’s clash with Michigan State. So for now, all eyes are on preparing the defense, and Lynn isn’t letting rumors distract him.

“I have not and my mind is really just on Michigan State,” stated Lynn.“We have a lot of stuff on defense we need to clean up and improve on, so that’s where all my focus is right now. Everyone who gets into coaching wants to at some point, but it’s a long process, and there’s so much in front of your face. You stop paying attention to that, bad things happen.” So, where does Lynn’s loyalty lie at this point?

Lynn, who previously served as UCLA’s DC under Chip Kelly, has impressed at every stop in Los Angeles. Despite speculation linking him to the Bruins due to his track record, he confirmed he has not been contacted and hasn’t reached out to old UCLA connections. With his impact at USC undeniable, Lynn’s focus remains on the Trojans.