It was a season of promises and collapses for USC. More collapses than promises if you pinpoint it. But doubts and questions are rising for Lincoln Riley. After all, he joined the Trojans with much buzz, and the fans envisioned an era of dominance—just like the one that Oklahoma witnessed with him. However, a 7-6 season says otherwise. Now it seems that the USC head coach has to fight battles on the field and outside it.

If you are a USC fan, you must have noticed a similar pattern in all the losses—shaky defense. You recall the game with Michigan, Penn State, and Minnesota, where the Trojans led the contest, but their defensive line failed to close the game. But their defensive line has undergone a drastic change this season. All thanks to defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn.

The Trojans’ defense improved sharply in its first season under the 35-year-old Lynn, who was hired away a year back from crosstown rival UCLA. With a simplified defensive scheme and a renewed emphasis on aggressive play, USC gave up 10.3 fewer points per game and 55 fewer yards per game under Lynn than it allowed in the 2023 season under coordinator Alex Grinch, who was fired late in the year by Lincoln Riley.

The Trojans also improved their run defense substantially under Lynn while allowing more than 30 points in regulation only once all season. They even recorded their first shutout victory in 13 years, beating Utah State 48-0. It was no wonder that some teams came poaching, especially Lynn’s alma mater, Penn State. Lynn was a starting cornerback at Penn State before he began a coaching career in 2014. But looks like Riley has got Lynn’s loyalty as the USC signed Lynn to a contract extension. USC didn’t disclose details of Lynn’s new deal in its announcement, but the extension should end talk of Lynn leaving for other jobs.

The ‘USCJ Lost in the Sauce’ podcast host also shed light on the same situation. The host, in the latest segment, said, “James Franklin flew out to Los Angeles to come get his coach, and look, it scared all of us. I’m gonna tell you why it scared all of us. Because this guy is a guy that played for Penn State. Rightfully so, like, Penn State had a real shot. A real chance… They’re gonna try to give him the bag. James Franklin came with the bag.”

Lynn played for the Lions from 2008 to 2011 and also bagged the All-Big Ten honorable mention at cornerback thrice. So, is it a case of love lost? No. Penn State lost their defensive coordinator, Tom Allen, to Clemson. What’s a better replacement than someone who has been through the Lions’ factory? But isn’t Lynn failing in his current job? Not exactly.

The reason for their defense’s failure to step up at moments—injuries. Linebacker Eric Gentry and defensive end Anthony Lucas were out for the season in October itself. Before them, senior linebacker Raesjon Davis and junior defensive tackle Bear Alexander had already announced their decisions to redshirt the season. It left them short on the defensive line, eventually affecting their season outcome. But $30-million-worth Riley is already looking beyond this season after securing Lynn’s loyalty.

After spending 3 seasons with the Trojans, the fans will now also start asking some questions. That’s not only it. The USC lost 19 players to the transfer portal. That also included Zion Branch and his brother Zachariah Branch. But that’s the part of the reshuffle. Kamari Ramsey has returned, as he decided not to take the NFL route. In his words, he has some “unfinished business.” Then you have the likes of Gentry and Lucas, who will make the team’s sheet after their promising 2024.

You can also look at the new additions to the defensive line. Keeshawn Silver has joined the Trojans from Kentucky, and Georgia’s Jamaal Arrett will also bolster the line. But they will have high expectations from 5-star DL Jahkeem Stewart. Cornerback DJ Harvey and safety Bishop Fitzgerald would also provide something the USC laced this time around—experience. This will be the real test for Lincoln Riley, maybe a final one too, if things go south. Meanwhile, Lynn’s loyalty puts Penn State in no better place.

Lincoln Riley’s gain is Penn State football’s loss

Penn State football will need a new defensive leader for the upcoming season. a hire that’s become almost a yearly routine now for head coach James Franklin. The Nittany Lions must find a new defensive coordinator for the third time in four years after the sudden departure of Tom Allen. The former Indiana head coach moved to take over the Clemson defensive responsibilities on Tuesday after just one year in State College.

On January 9, Tom Allen was out to survey Penn State’s locker room after the Orange Bowl as the Nittany Lions lost 27-24 to Notre Dame. “[They] were part of a special, special group,” Allen said. “It’s easy to lose sight of that right now. No one wants to hear that right now [after the loss to Notre Dame]. There’s a lot of hurting guys in this locker room, and rightly so. But I want them to be remembered as one of the best defenses in the country and one of the best defenses in Penn State history. They gave it all to the final whistle.” A day after that Allen was talking to Clemson coach Dabo Swinney about becoming the program’s next defensive coordinator.

Finally, this week, Clemson made it official, and Allen explained his decision to leave. It was his family. “Faith and family is a big deal to me,” Allen said during his introductory press conference at Clemson. With that, Penn State’s situation still remains undecided. Its deep, talented core of defenders, led by defensive tackle Zane Durant and rush-end Dani Dennis-Sutton up front and cornerback A.J. Harris and safety Zakee Wheatley in the back, awaits the leader to bank on.