Lincoln Riley got a first-hand look at what D’Anton Lynn could do when UCLA’s first-year defensive coordinator held USC to three rushing yards in a 38-20 loss to the Bruins on Nov. 18. It proved to be an informal job interview.
After Lynn engineered a resurgent UCLA defense that led the Pac-12 in yards allowed and ranked second in the conference in points allowed, USC is finalizing a deal to hire the 34-year-old assistant, two people not authorized to speak publicly about the move told The Times. Lynn will be tasked with reviving the struggling unit that has been the thorn in Riley’s side since he took over at USC.