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A big change is occurring at USC football. Defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn is going home. He has accepted the same position at Penn State, his alma mater, under new head coach Matt Campbell. Rob Ryan, USC's linebacker coach, came to USC in part because D'Anton Lynn sold him on a vision. Ryan and Lynn both have choices to make.
Lynn would want to have his preferred assistants in Happy Valley. It's hard to think Matt Campbell would hire Lynn and then force him to accept a specific staff. Usually, big coordinator hires at prominent schools get to choose their own collection of assistants.
Rob Ryan has to ask himself if it's worth sticking around at USC, waiting to see whom Lincoln Riley hires as defensive coordinator. What if it's Pete Kwiatkowski, recently fired by Texas? What if it's Mark Stoops, formerly the head coach of Kentucky? Would one choice affect Ryan's thought process more than another? We will find out soon enough.
Rob Ryan struggled in 2025. He did not get the most out of Eric Gentry. He objectively did worse than Matt Entz did as linebacker coach. Entz set a higher standard in 2024.
USC's defensive line certainly did not help the linebackers in 2025. That's the reason for Lincoln Riley to retain Rob Ryan. Is it a convincing enough reason, however? What if Pete Kwiatkowski wants to bring in his guy? Rob Ryan might not stay at USC even if he wants to.
Rob Ryan could probably land an NFL linebacker coaching job if he wants one. With the regular season ending next weekend, Ryan could coach the Alamo Bowl, then have his agent communicate with interested NFL teams, and weigh his options.
USC can and should do better than Rob Ryan. Pete Kwiatkowksi's Texas defense held Ohio State to 14 points in Columbus this past season. That should end the discussion about where Lincoln Riley should look for his first choice as D'Anton Lynn's replacement. If Kwiatkowski doesn't want Rob Ryan, that's it. This doesn't have to be more complicated than it is.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: D'Anton Lynn leaving USC football for Penn State raises Rob Ryan query
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D'Anton Lynn should have freedom in Happy Valley
Lynn would want to have his preferred assistants in Happy Valley. It's hard to think Matt Campbell would hire Lynn and then force him to accept a specific staff. Usually, big coordinator hires at prominent schools get to choose their own collection of assistants.
Rob Ryan's choice
Rob Ryan has to ask himself if it's worth sticking around at USC, waiting to see whom Lincoln Riley hires as defensive coordinator. What if it's Pete Kwiatkowski, recently fired by Texas? What if it's Mark Stoops, formerly the head coach of Kentucky? Would one choice affect Ryan's thought process more than another? We will find out soon enough.
Rob Ryan 2025
Rob Ryan struggled in 2025. He did not get the most out of Eric Gentry. He objectively did worse than Matt Entz did as linebacker coach. Entz set a higher standard in 2024.
USC defensive line and Eric Henderson
USC's defensive line certainly did not help the linebackers in 2025. That's the reason for Lincoln Riley to retain Rob Ryan. Is it a convincing enough reason, however? What if Pete Kwiatkowski wants to bring in his guy? Rob Ryan might not stay at USC even if he wants to.
NFL regular season ends next week
Rob Ryan could probably land an NFL linebacker coaching job if he wants one. With the regular season ending next weekend, Ryan could coach the Alamo Bowl, then have his agent communicate with interested NFL teams, and weigh his options.
Our view
USC can and should do better than Rob Ryan. Pete Kwiatkowksi's Texas defense held Ohio State to 14 points in Columbus this past season. That should end the discussion about where Lincoln Riley should look for his first choice as D'Anton Lynn's replacement. If Kwiatkowski doesn't want Rob Ryan, that's it. This doesn't have to be more complicated than it is.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: D'Anton Lynn leaving USC football for Penn State raises Rob Ryan query
Continue reading...
