UCLA Football: Insider Proposes D'Anton Lynn Replacement For Bruins

In a shocking turn of events, the UCLA Bruins lost their defensive coordinator, D'Anton Lynn, to their cross-town rivals— the USC Trojans. He had to go there out of all teams. After one season as the DC, where Lynn turned it into one of the best in the country, he is now out. 

Now, the Bruins have a daunting task of their own: trying to find a replacement for Lynn. Finding a replacement better or just as good as Lynn was in 2023 will be tough. It won't be easy, but there are plenty of options out there for the Bruins, one already on the staff. 

UCLA insider Ben Bolch believes the Bruins should have their eyes on long-time coordinator and former Super Bowl champion Ken Norton Jr. 

Norton Jr. has much experience serving as a coordinator, especially as a defensive coordinator, where he served with the Seattle Seahawks from 2018-2021. 

Outside of his playing career, the 57-year-old and former Bruin does not lack experience. As a coach, he served as the linebackers coach for the USC Trojans from 2004-2009 under Pete Carroll. He helped recruit and develop NFL Pro Bowlers like Lofa Tatupu, Dallas Sartz, Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews, and Keith Rivers. 

After his USC tenure, he followed Carroll to Seattle, where he served as the linebackers coach, where he once again coached Tatupu and others like future Hall of Fame Bobby Wagner, Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith, and Pro Bowler K.J. Wright. 

After serving as the DC for the Raiders and assistant coach with the 49ers, he returned to his alma mater as the linebackers coach on Chip Kelly's staff. 

Norton Jr. seems like the perfect candidate to replace Lynn, and we'll see if the program believes he can be the man to lead this defense into the Big 10. 

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