Tag: Anthony Lynn

Aug 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers assistant head coach Anthony Lynn before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Commanders add Anthony Lynn to coaching staff

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Washington Commanders are hiring Anthony Lynn as their run game coordinator, ESPN reported Wednesday.

The former Los Angeles Chargers head coach was the San Francisco 49ers’ assistant head coach and running backs coach for the past two seasons.

Lynn, 55, is the second former NFL head coach to join new Commanders coach Dan Quinn’s staff. Kliff Kingsbury (Arizona Cardinals, 2019-22) is Washington’s new offensive coordinator.

Lynn compiled a 33-31 record with the Chargers from 2017-20. He was the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator in 2021 and has coached running backs with the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Lynn played running back in the NFL for six seasons with the Denver Broncos (1993, 1997-99) and 49ers (1995-96), winning two Super Bowl championships.

The Commanders (4-13) finished 27th in the NFL in rushing last season with 93.6 yards per game.

–Field Level Media

Dec 27, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn looks on during the first half against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

49ers reportedly hire Anthony Lynn as assistant head coach

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The San Francisco 49ers plan to hire former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn as their new assistant head coach, ESPN and USA Today reported Friday night.

One report said terms had yet to be discussed, but a verbal agreement was in place.

Lynn, 53, joins San Francisco after spending 2021 as offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions. He coached the Chargers for four seasons, from 2017-20, compiling a 33-31 record with one playoff appearance.

He was also assistant head coach of the New York Jets (2013-14) and Buffalo Bills (2015-16), taking over the Bills’ head-coaching duties on an interim basis at the end of 2016.

The 49ers and coach Kyle Shanahan needed a new assistant head coach after parting with Jon Embree earlier this week. Embree was also the team’s tight ends coach.

In Shanahan’s fifth season as coach, the Niners reached the NFC Championship Game as a wild-card team and lost to the Los Angeles Rams, 20-17.

Lynn and the Shanahan family have history together as Lynn played for Kyle Shanahan’s father, Mike Shanahan, for the Denver Broncos as a running back and special teamer.

–Field Level Media

Lions offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn, center, speaks to a game official during warmups before the game against the Packers on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, at Ford Field.

Lions fire offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn

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The Detroit Lions fired offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn on Monday.

Head coach Dan Campbell announced the move during his season-ending press conference.

Lynn’s offense showed signs of life over the last six weeks of the season with a pair of 29-point games, 30 points in a win over the Arizona Cardinals and 37 in Sunday’s win over the Green Bay Packers.

But Detroit (3-13-1) was one of the worst in the NFL in scoring (325 points), third downs (34.7 percent) and passing (211.6 yards per game).

Quarterback Jared Goff also improved his numbers late in the season but averaged just 6.6 yards per attempt.

Lynn, 53, spent the four previous seasons as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, where he went 33-31. Campbell hired Lynn, a former NFL running back, as his offensive coordinator in January 2021.

–Field Level Media

Lions offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn talks with QB Jared Goff during a team practice at Ford Field on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. Fordfieldpractice 080721 Kp2

Report: Lions to part ways with OC Anthony Lynn

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The Detroit Lions are expected to part ways with offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn following Sunday’s home game against the Green Bay Packers, NFL Network reported.

Lynn, 53, was stripped of play-calling duties in November after the Lions limped to an 0-8-1 start to the season. Detroit entered Week 18 ranked 22nd in total offense (317.5 yards per game) and 28th in scoring offense (18.0 points).

Lynn joined the Lions in January 2021 after posting a 33-31 record during his four seasons as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

Lynn served as the offensive coordinator with the Buffalo Bills prior to his stint with the Chargers.

–Field Level Media

Dec 17, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn watches game action against the Las Vegas Raiders during overtime at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Lions officially tab ex-Chargers coach Anthony Lynn as OC

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The Detroit Lions officially announced Wednesday the hiring of former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn as the team’s offensive coordinator.

Lynn, 52, was fired by the Chargers earlier this month after four seasons at the helm. He posted a 33-31 overall record with the team, which went 7-9 in 2020.

In addition, the Detroit Free Press reported Wednesday that tight ends coach Ben Johnson is expected to remain in Detroit, while ESPN reports that Chicago Bears inside linebackers coach Mark DeLeone will leave to become the Lions’ linebackers coach.

The Lions’ staff has undergone significant change of late. Former New Orleans assistant head coach Dan Campbell, 44, was named as Detroit’s head coach and Saints secondary coach Aaron Glenn, 48, was tabbed as the Lions’ defensive coordinator.

In addition, multiple reports had veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford being granted permission by the team to seek an offseason trade.

Lynn had his best season with the Chargers in 2018, when Los Angeles went 12-4 and defeated the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC wild card round. But the Chargers lost the next week to New England, ending their only playoff run of Lynn’s tenure.

Lynn served as the offensive coordinator with the Buffalo Bills prior to his stint with the Chargers.

The Lions were 5-11 in 2020 and last won a division championship in 1993, the NFL’s second-longest active drought between division titles behind the Cleveland Browns (1989).

–Field Level Media

Dec 6, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn looks on from the sideline during the first half against the New England Patriots at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Lions to hire Anthony Lynn as OC

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The Detroit Lions are hiring former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn as their offensive coordinator, multiple media outlets reported.

The Lions’ staff has undergone significant change of late. Former New Orleans assistant head coach Dan Campbell, 44, was named as Detroit’s head coach and Saints secondary coach Aaron Glenn, 48, was tabbed as the Lions’ defensive coordinator.

In addition, multiple reports had veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Lions likely parting ways during the offseason.

Lynn, 52, was fired by the Chargers earlier this month after four seasons at helm. He posted a 33-31 overall record with the team, which went 7-9 in 2020.

Lynn had his best season with the Chargers in 2018, when Los Angeles went 12-4 and defeated the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC wild card round. But the Chargers lost the next week to New England, ending their only playoff run of Lynn’s tenure.

Lynn served as the offensive coordinator with the Buffalo Bills prior to his stint with the Chargers.

The Lions were 5-11 in 2020 and last won the division championship in 1993.

–Field Level Media

Dec 27, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn talks to the kick off team after the Chargers scored a touchdown in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Lynn says coaching Chargers was a “privilege”

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A 33-31 record over four seasons as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers wasn’t enough for Anthony Lynn to keep his job at the conclusion of the 2020 season.

But Lynn expressed no bitterness about his firing in his first public comments Tuesday. Lynn, who coached the Chargers to a 7-9 record this season, released a statement through the team’s official Twitter account.

“For the Spanos family to give me the opportunity to be their head coach these past four years, I just can’t thank them enough,” said part of Lynn’s statement. “It’s been an absolute privilege to represent the Los Angeles Chargers on and off the field, and I am grateful to our staff, coaches, players and everyone in the community who has been supportive throughout my time with the organization.”

Lynn, 52, had his best season with the Chargers in 2018, when Los Angeles went 12-4 and defeated the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC wild card round. But Los Angeles lost the next week to New England, ending the Chargers’ only playoff run of Lynn’s tenure.

–Field Level Media

Dec 6, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn looks on from the sideline during the first half against the New England Patriots at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Chargers’ Lynn to oversee special teams duties

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Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn has added another line to his resume.

Lynn announced Wednesday that he will serve as the Chargers’ special teams coordinator for the remainder of the season.

The decision comes on the heels of Los Angeles (3-9) enduring a special teams nightmare during Sunday’s 45-0 loss to the New England Patriots.

The Chargers surrendered a punt return for a touchdown early in the second quarter and saw their bid to get on the scoreboard go horribly wrong just before halftime. The Patriots blocked their field-goal attempt and scooted 44 yards into the end zone to take a 28-0 lead.

“It was unacceptable, special teams was,” Lynn said on Sunday. “The whole operation. Today got confusing on the field. It was unacceptable.”

Lynn’s announcement on Wednesday is the second such move involving the club’s special teams this season. Assistant special teams coach Keith Burns and senior coaching assistant Chris Caminiti were tasked with filling the void after the Chargers demoted special teams coordinator George Stewart on Nov. 25.

The Chargers will look for better results on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET) when they host the Atlanta Falcons (4-8).

–Field Level Media

August 29, 2019; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers special teams coordinator George Stewart before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Lynn demotes Chargers’ special teams coach

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Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn demoted special teams coach George Stewart on Wednesday in the aftermath of a near-disastrous performance by the unit last week.

Assistant special teams coach Keith Burns and senior coaching assistant Chris Caminiti will take over, Lynn said. Stewart has been reassigned to offensive analyst.

“We weren’t getting it done, so I feel like we need to make a change,” Lynn said.

Chargers punter Ty Long had a punt blocked for the third time in four games last week against the New York Jets and failed to run out the clock on an intentional safety at the end of the game, instead leaving 1 second on the clock.

Further, the Chargers (3-7) are tied for 28th in the league in punt returns (5.6 avg.), 31st in punt coverage (34.5 net avg.), and 29th in kickoff coverage (27.9 return avg.).

Stewart joined the Chargers in 2017. Lynn played for Stewart in San Francisco (1995-96).

“You’re talking about a confidant. You’re talking about a guy that taught me a lot about the game, especially in special teams area, and has always had my back so it was extremely hard. I feel like to was something we needed to do,” Lynn said.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2019; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn watches play during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chargers’ Lynn reveals earlier COVID-19 diagnosis

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Chargers coach Anthony Lynn revealed Tuesday night on “Hard Knocks: Los Angeles” that he tested positive for COVID-19 during the offseason.

The news came in the opening scene of the HBO mainstay, which this year features the Chargers and the Rams.

“I can’t promise you you’re not gonna get infected. I got infected,” he told his players via a Zoom meeting.

He used his case as both an inspiration and a warning to his team.

“Fellas, this year is not like any year we’ve had in the National Football League,” Lynn said. “There’s going to be chaos. It’s going to be change and it’s going to come every single day. The goals, the objectives, will not change.

“I’ve talked to some people who said they’re sick of this virus. What the hell is that supposed to mean? Let me tell you something, you aren’t promised next year. You aren’t promised tomorrow. What I want to do is I want to limit your exposures.

“But when that whistle blows, let’s go kick somebody’s ass and play some football. One team will do this better than the other 31. Trust me. It might as well be us. So, be ready for chaos. Embrace it. Because if we’re going to play, the team that handles this thing the best is going to have the best chance of winning that trophy.”

Lynn, 51, is the third NFL head coach to acknowledge that he had tested positive for the virus, joining Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints and Doug Pederson of the Philadelphia Eagles.

In a scene later in the show, Lynn talked with Dr. Herb Martin, the team psychologist, and told him of the diagnosis.

“I didn’t know you had the virus,” Martin said.

“Yeah, I didn’t tell nobody,” Lynn said.

Lynn has a 26-22 record in the regular season over his first three years with the Chargers, who are looking to rebound from a disappointing 5-11 season in 2019.

The Chargers are scheduled to open the season Sept. 13 against the Bengals in Cincinnati.

–Field Level Media