UCLA to rent Ravens safeties coach D’Anton Lynn as new DC

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UCLA is anticipated to rent Baltimore Ravens safeties coach D’Anton Lynn as its new defensive coordinator to interchange Bill McGovern within the wake of McGovern’s ongoing well being considerations, in line with a number of reviews.

Hiring Lynn, the 33-year-old son of former Chargers coach Anthony Lynn, can be a large departure for UCLA coach Chip Kelly given his historical past of using outdated mates as defensive coordinator. Longtime colleague Jerry Azzinaro held the submit for Kelly’s first 4 seasons with the Bruins earlier than Kelly pivoted to McGovern final season.

D’Anton Lynn has no expertise as a defensive coordinator however is taken into account a rising star within the teaching ranks after spending time with 5 NFL groups. A former All-Big Ten defensive again at Penn State, Lynn coached the Ravens’ defensive backs in 2021 after stints because the Houston Texans’ secondary coach, a defensive assistant with the Chargers and Buffalo Bills and an intern with the New York Jets.

McGovern needed to step apart due to the well being points that compelled him to overlook 5 video games final season earlier than he returned for the Sun Bowl.

It was not instantly clear if McGovern, who turned 60 on New Year’s Eve, can be retained in a much less demanding place equivalent to defensive analyst. Asked in late December if he anticipated to meet the ultimate yr on his two-year, $1.8-million contract in 2023, McGovern was unequivocal.

“Absolutely,” he mentioned. “Absolutely.”

McGovern’s stepping other than his position means the Bruins can have a 3rd defensive coordinator in as many seasons. McGovern and Kelly had identified of one another going again to their enjoying days at small New England schools within the Nineteen Eighties, lengthy earlier than McGovern joined Kelly’s Philadelphia Eagles workers for 3 seasons as outdoors linebackers coach beginning in 2013.

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UCLA defensive analyst Clancy Pendergast crammed McGovern’s spot within the press field throughout his absence, with all of the assistants collaborating on the defensive sport plan. Statistically, the Bruins skilled a drop-off in efficiency whereas McGovern was away, giving up 31.8 factors per sport after having given up 25.9 factors with McGovern in cost.

But simply when it appeared that McGovern would preside over a feel-good return within the Sun Bowl, the Bruins gave up 20 consecutive factors of their 37-35 loss, together with a late subject aim after Pittsburgh drove into vary for the profitable factors after starting the drive by itself 25-yard line with 34 seconds left and no timeouts.

Defense has been the one fixed blemish on the Kelly period, largely offsetting his elite offenses. The Bruins ranked among the many worst defenses within the nation in a number of classes throughout Kelly’s first two seasons earlier than enchancment in 2020 preceded one other falloff in 2021.

UCLA completed final season No. 87 nationally in whole protection (403.3 yards allowed per sport), No. 35 in dashing protection (130.3 yards allowed) and No. 117 in yards passing allowed (273 per sport).

Now, its persevering with quest for a rejuvenated protection will belong to Lynn.