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Anthony Lynn

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Anthony Lynn
refer to caption
Lynn in 2017
Los Angeles Chargers
Position:Head coach
Personal information
Born: (1968-12-21) December 21, 1968 (age 55)
McKinney, Texas
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:Celina (Celina, Texas)
College:Texas Tech
Undrafted:1992
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Attempts:28
Rushing yards:177
Touchdowns:0
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Head coaching record
Regular season:26–23 (.531)
Postseason:1–1 (.500)
Career:27–24 (.529)
Record at Pro Football Reference

Anthony Ray Lynn (born December 21, 1968) is an American football coach and former running back who is the current head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). Lynn began his professional coaching career with the Denver Broncos in 2000 as a special teams assistant, then the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills before becoming the Chargers' head coach in 2017.[1]

Playing career

The 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Lynn played at Celina High School, and later for the Texas Tech Red Raiders (1988–1991), where he was an All-Southwest Conference running back in 1990. His senior year was cut short by a knee injury, and concerns about the injury left him undrafted. He was a journeyman reserve running back and special teams player during his NFL career, playing for the Denver Broncos (1993, 1997–1999) and San Francisco 49ers (1995–1996). He retired in 2000 due to repeated neck stinger injuries. Lynn was part of Denver's back-to-back Super Bowl champion teams (1997–1998).[2]

Coaching career

Denver Broncos

Upon retiring in 2000, he joined the Denver coaching staff as an offensive assistant and special teams coach.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Lynn then joined the Jacksonville Jaguars as the running backs coach (2003–2004). He left Jacksonville after being switched to special teams coach following a coaching staff shakeup by head coach Jack Del Rio in 2005.[3]

Dallas Cowboys

After leaving Jacksonville, Lynn quickly joined the Dallas Cowboys staff as the running backs coach.[4]

Cleveland Browns

On January 26, 2007, with the retirement of Bill Parcells as Dallas head coach, Lynn signed on with the Cleveland Browns to fill their running backs coach vacancy.[5]

New York Jets

Lynn was named the assistant head coach/running backs coach for the New York Jets on February 1, 2012, under head coach Rex Ryan, and was subsequently interviewed for the head coach job in January 2015, after Ryan left.

Buffalo Bills

When he did not get the position of head coach of the New York Jets, he followed Rex Ryan to the Buffalo Bills where he took the same position. On September 16, 2016, Lynn was promoted to offensive coordinator / assistant head coach of the Bills when Greg Roman was fired.[6] Then later in September, Lynn was promoted to offensive coordinator.[7] When asked what he wants his offensive identity to be, Lynn responded, "I want to play smart, physical football. I want to be explosive down the field... We're going to play a little bit faster and see if we can put a little pressure on the defense. Just execute."[8] Lynn made his debut as offensive coordinator against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling out a 33–18 win.[9]

Lynn became the interim head coach on December 27, 2016, after Rex Ryan was fired.[10]

Head coach interest

On December 30, 2015, the Miami Dolphins interviewed Lynn for their head coach position.[11] He was the fourth head coaching candidate interviewed that week.[12] Lynn also interviewed for the head coaching job with the New York Jets on January 6, 2015, shortly after head coach Rex Ryan was fired.[13] Lynn knew the organization well and was extremely well-respected.[14]

In January 2016, Lynn was a head coaching candidate for the San Francisco 49ers,[15] but removed his name from consideration before a decision was made.[16] Despite not taking a head coaching position in 2016, media insider Ian Rapoport listed Lynn as one of his candidates in a good position to become a head coach.[17] On January 12, 2017, Lynn was named head coach of the newly christened Los Angeles Chargers and one day later the Chargers officially confirmed his hiring as the new coach.[18]

Los Angeles Chargers

On January 12, 2017, Lynn was hired to become the new head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, the same day that owner Dean Spanos announced that the Chargers were relocating from San Diego to Los Angeles.[19] Lynn's hire was confirmed by the Chargers one day later on January 13 the team's website.[20] Lynn became the franchise's first African-American head coach in its 56-year history.[21]

In his second season as the Chargers head coach, Lynn led Los Angeles to a 12–4 record, earning its first playoff berth since 2013. The Chargers went on to defeat the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round 23–17, before being eliminated in the Divisional Round by the eventual Super Bowl LIII champion New England Patriots by a score of 41–28.

Personal life

Lynn has a son, D'Anton, and a daughter, Danielle, with his ex-wife, Cynda. He married journalist Stacey Bell on March 5, 2011, in Dallas, Texas.[22] His son, D'Anton, played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, and was signed as an undrafted rookie by the New York Jets following the 2012 NFL Draft. Lynn was supportive of his son's decision to follow in his footsteps, and taught him about the hard work that goes into being a professional football player both on and off the field.[23]

During Cowboys training camp on August 20, 2005, Lynn was a victim of a hit-and-run automobile accident.[24] Lynn and Todd Haley, both offensive assistants for Bill Parcells, were out for pizza after training camp in Ventura, California.[25] As Lynn and Haley were crossing the street, Lynn was hit by drunk driver Sergio Sandoval. Lynn suffered two collapsed lungs, facial and shoulder damage, and temporary paralysis in his lower body. He had four surgeries on his face, knee and shoulder due to the incident. Lynn returned to coaching less than two weeks later. Lynn's story was featured in a Verizon advertisement during Super Bowl LIII in 2019, where he was introduced to the first responders who treated him.[26]

On May 12, 2018, Lynn graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies.[27]

Head coaching record

Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
BUF* 2016 0 1 0 .000 3rd in AFC East — — — —
BUF total 0 1 0 .000 0 0 .000
LAC 2017 9 7 0 .563 2nd in AFC West — — — —
LAC 2018 12 4 0 .750 2nd in AFC West 1 1 .500 Lost to New England Patriots in AFC Divisional Game
LAC 2019 5 11 0 .313 4th in AFC West — — — —
LAC total 26 22 0 .542 1 1 .500
Total 26 23 0 .531 1 1 .500

* – Interim head coach

Accomplishments

  • From 2009 to 2013, with Lynn as running backs coach, the Jets running game produced an NFL-leading 137.0 yards per game.[28]
  • In 2013, Lynn helped Chris Ivory establish a team-leading 833 yards on 182 carries.[28]
  • Top ranked running game for the Buffalo Bills in the 2015–2016 season.[29]
  • Took the Chargers into the playoffs for the first time in 5 years.
  • Was in a Super Bowl commercial during Super Bowl LIII.

References

  1. ^ "Bills OC Anthony Lynn Ready For Challenge".
  2. ^ "Anthony Lynn Passes First Test As Offensive Coordinator". Archived from the original on February 15, 2019.
  3. ^ "FOX Sports on MSN - NFL". Archived from the original on September 30, 2007.
  4. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 11, 2006. Retrieved January 10, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ "DallasCowboys.com - News". Archived from the original on February 2, 2007.
  6. ^ "Bills hire Anthony Lynn as running backs coach". Profootball Talk. January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  7. ^ "Lynn Helps Bills Get House In Order". October 13, 2016.
  8. ^ "Anthony Lynn Press Conference Transcript". September 22, 2016.
  9. ^ "LA Times "AFC notes: Broncos have been the best in September over the last three years "". September 25, 2016.
  10. ^ "Bills Announce Coaching Changes". Buffalo Bills. Retrieved December 27, 2016.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "Dolphins Interview Bills Assistant Anthony Lynn for Head Coaching Job". January 6, 2016.
  12. ^ "Dolphins Interview Anthony Lynn". January 6, 2016.
  13. ^ "Anthony Lynn To Get In-House Interview For Jets Head Coach Job".
  14. ^ "Jets Seven Potential Head Coaches". January 6, 2015.
  15. ^ "49ers Set To Interview Anthony Lynn". January 5, 2016.
  16. ^ "Lynn Removes Name From 49ers Consideration". January 22, 2016.
  17. ^ "Possible Head Coaches With Most To Gain And Lose".
  18. ^ "Chargers to Hire Anthony Lynn as Head Coach".
  19. ^ "Anthony Lynn Stops By NFL Network".
  20. ^ "Chargers hire Anthony Lynn as their new head coach".
  21. ^ "Chargers officially tap Lynn as new head coach". January 14, 2017.
  22. ^ "Where Are They Now: Texas Tech Alum Anthony Lynn".
  23. ^ "Son Following Anthony Lynn Footsteps To The NFL". Archived from the original on August 17, 2016.
  24. ^ "Cowboys assistant returrns after near-fatal accident". ESPN.com. September 4, 2005.
  25. ^ "Coach Lynn Has Put Accident Behind Him". Archived from the original on October 11, 2016.
  26. ^ "Chargers head coach in Verizon Super Bowl ad: It's a 'miracle' I'm alive". adage.com. February 3, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  27. ^ "Anthony Lynn to receive degree at UNLV's commencement ceremony". May 12, 2018.
  28. ^ a b "Anthony Lynn Coaches Inc. Bio". Archived from the original on October 11, 2016.
  29. ^ "Anthony Lynn Up Among Bills Coaches". January 8, 2016.
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