Former Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock’s decision to retire after more than 40 seasons in college created an opportunity for D’Anton Lynn to head east and join his alma mater.
A skilled defensive back who spent four years with Penn State (2008-11), Lynn retooled the UCLA and USC defenses the last three years and will run Matt Campbell’s “D” in the fall.
Lynn, a three-time honorable mention All-Big Ten performer with the Nittany Lions, joined fellow coordinators Taylor Mouser (offense) and Justin Lustig (special teams) and all the Lions’ positions coaches in a large Penn State media availability Wednesday afternoon at Beaver Stadium.
The PSU alum acknowledged the Penn State football facilities look vastly different now, a tribute to the school’s financial commitment to the program.
So do Penn State’s athletes. They are significantly bigger yet somehow much faster.
Lynn plans to take advantage of their varied skill sets.
“We want to try and put these guys in the best position possible,” said Lynn, who played for the late Joe Paterno. His defensive coordinator was Tom Bradley. “We feel like being here, with the type of players we have and the type of players that we’re going to be able to recruit, we’re going to be able to different things. We’re going to be able to get in different looks, have guys playing in different spots.
“So, I think our goal this spring is to really get a feel for the personnel and see, ‘OK, like, what do we do best?’ And then what level of versatility does each individual have?”
Campbell emphasized Wednesday that Heacock will be missed. He was with Campbell for 10 seasons at Iowa State and two at Toledo.
Once Heacock made the decision to step away from the sport, it did not take long for Lynn to appear on Campbell’s DC radar.
“Honestly, the first name that came up was Lynn,” Campbell said. “Obviously, from talking to some people that I have great respect for … (I) just felt like that (he) was the No. 1 target for the style of defense we wanted to play, for somebody that understood Penn State football, that wanted to be here, that wanted to be a part of this program, that had a passion for Penn State. I felt like that was critical.
“It took a while to get to where we got to, but Coach Lynn, for him to have to kind of financially give up some things to get here, to kind of come here with purpose and integrity, I don’t know if I could be any more excited to be able to lead with him.
“Schematically, I think we see the game very similarly. But I think most importantly, you talk about leadership, excellence. What do you stand for? Do you believe in the development of 18- to 22-year-olds? How do you see us winning the game? Can we be a great team together?
“I think all those things were no-brainers for us.”
