Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543434
M A R C H 2 0 2 6 2 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M There have also been some changes to the defensive coaching staff. In addi- tion to Knowles, safeties coach Anthony Poindexter and defensive line coach De- ion Barnes have departed for Tennessee and South Carolina, respectively. The Lions have returned Terry Smith to oversee the cornerbacks, while Dan Connor will continue to work with the linebackers. But there are also four new- comers. Broomfield will lead the safeties room, while Ikaika Malloe (formerly of UCLA) will be in charge of the defensive tackles. Christian Smith (Northwestern) will lead the defensive ends, and Tyson Veidt (Iowa State, Cincinnati) will team up with Connor to coach the linebackers. Lynn's job this spring will be to help bring everyone together to form a cohe- sive whole. Campbell extolled the adapt- ability that Lynn's defenses displayed the past three years, describing it as a nec- essary skill now that offensive coaches are coming up with ways to counterat- tack the 4-2-5 schemes that have come into widespread use. The challenge, of course, is to figure out how the scheme matches the personnel and then start on the install work in spring practice. 'What Do You Stand For?' Like any returning alum, Lynn has built up a lot of goodwill at Penn State. He was a three-time honorable mention All-Big Ten cornerback during his tenure with the Lions from 2008-11. Of his 4 career in- terceptions, 3 came during a stellar junior year, including a pick on Florida's first of- fensive play of the 2011 Outback Bowl. Lynn went on to sign with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2012. His father was coaching with the Jets at the time, but the young defensive back was released that August. After a brief tenure in the Canadian Football League the following year, Lynn began to transi- tion into coaching, first as an intern with the Jets, then as a defensive assistant with the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Char- gers, followed by his stints at Houston and Baltimore. Along the way, he developed a reputation as a rising star. While his return to Penn State is a full-circle moment, he'll ultimately be judged by the performance of his defense. Campbell is confident that he landed a coach who can help bring out the best in Penn State's players — on and off the field. "From talking to some people that I have great respect for, [including] in- house, some of our own coaches who had come with me, I just felt like he was the No. 1 target for the style of defense we wanted to play, for somebody that understood Penn State football, that wanted to be here, that wanted to be a part of this program, that had a passion for Penn State," Campbell said. "I felt like that was critical. "Schematically, we see the game very similarly. But I think most importantly, you talk about leadership and excellence. What do you stand for? Do you believe in the development of 18- to 22-year- olds? How do you see us winning the game? Can we be a great team together? I think all those things were no-brainers for us." ■ Lynn came up with an interception on Florida's first offensive play of the 2011 Outback Bowl. Known for his diligent preparation, the cornerback finished his junior season with 3 picks to tie for the team lead. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL