Penn State reportedly is targeting former Nittany Lions defensive back D’Anton Lynn as its next defensive coordinator, according to multiple reports Thursday.
The 36-year-old Lynn is in his second season as defensive coordinator at USC, which ranks 47th in total and scoring defense this season, 62nd in rushing defense and 80th in pass defense efficiency.
Lynn previously served as UCLA defensive coordinator in 2023 and as an NFL assistant for nine years with Baltimore, Houston, Buffalo and the Los Angeles Chargers.
He played cornerback and safety at Penn State from 2008-11 and received All-Big Ten honorable mention three times. He made 37 starts in his last 38 games.
Anthony Lynn, his father, is an assistant coach with the Washington Commanders.
Veteran college assistant coach Jon Heacock has spent the last 12 seasons as defensive coordinator for new Penn State coach Matt Campbell at Iowa State and Toledo. It’s unclear whether he will join Campbell with the Lions.
On Thursday, Penn State formally announced the hiring of Jake Waters as quarterbacks coach and Noah Pauley as wide receivers coach. Both were assistants for Campbell at Iowa State, Waters for five seasons and Pauley for four seasons.
Three other on-field assistant coaches earlier left Iowa State to join Campbell at Penn State: Taylor Mouser (offensive coordinator and tight ends), Deon Broomfield (secondary) and Ryan Clanton (offensive line).
Honor for Ioane: Penn State guard Vega Ioane picked up All-America recognition from a third outlet Thursday when he was named to the Football Writers Association of America second team.
Earlier, Ioane was selected to the Walter Camp Football Foundation and The Association Press All-America second teams.
“Vega obviously had a tremendous year,” interim head coach Terry Smith said. “He’s just an amazing young person. He’s been instrumental to our resurgence in the run game. He’s a tremendous leader and a tremendous person. I love him to death.”
Support for Grunk: Penn State redshirt freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer received high praise from Smith on Thursday.
“I think Ethan’s grown tremendously,” Smith said. “I think he’s had a great season. I do think he is a future quarterback for Penn State. I think we can win a national championship with him.”
Grunkemeyer was recruited to play at Iowa State by Campbell and his staff and said Wednesday that he likes them. But he’s weighing his options for the 2026 season and said he won’t make a decision until after the Pinstripe Bowl.
Since replacing the injured Drew Allar, he has led the Lions to three straight wins and the Pinstripe Bowl berth against Clemson. He’s completing 69.4% of his passes for 1,079 yards and six touchdowns with four interceptions. In the last four games, he’s 58-for-78 for 736 yards and five TDs with one interception.
“Each game he’s gotten better and better,” Smith said. “Watching him in that two-minute situation right before the half at Rutgers (last month), that really showed who he is and what he is capable of doing.”
