USC defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn a Broyles Award nominee
USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn was named a Broyles Award nominee on Tuesday.
The Broyles Award was created in 1996, given to the nation’s best assistant coach, recognizing Coach Frank Broyles’ legacy of selecting and developing great assistants during his hall of fame career as head coach at Arkansas. Some of the biggest names in coaching have won the award over the years, including USC head coach Lincoln Riley, who won it as the Oklahoma offensive coordinator in 2015.
USC has one Broyles Award winner in its history. Former offensive coordinator Norm Chow took home the trophy following the 2002 season. Former USC head coach Steve Sarkisian won it as the Alabama offensive coordinator after the 2020 season.
It’ll be interesting to see if USC’s overall record stands in the way of Lynn receiving a serious chance at becoming a finalist or winning the award, but he is absolutely deserving of being in the discussion. With one game to play in the 2024 regular season, USC has improved in virtually every meaningful defensive statistic over last season.
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The Trojans finished last season No. 121 in scoring defense, allowing 34.4 points per game. USC right now sits at No. 32, giving up just 21.2 points per game (and that number includes two touchdowns allowed on interceptions by the USC offense). It’s the same story with total defense. The Trojans allowed 432.8 yards per game last season, good for No. 119 nationally. This year, USC has given up 365.7 yards per game, good for No. 65 nationally. In rushing defense, the Trojans jumped from No. 119 last season to No. 43 this year.
Lynn has managed that turnaround while losing three of his most talented players in the first half of the season, including defensive linemen Bear Alexander and Anthony Lucas, as well as linebacker Eric Gentry. He’ll have one final opportunity this regular season to make a statement as the Trojans host the rival Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Coliseum this Saturday.
