D’Anton Lynn saw a sinking ship at UCLA, which is why he won’t replace Chip Kelly

D’Anton Lynn, if he had not left UCLA for the USC defensive coordinator job, might have been in line to replace Chip Kelly. It’s a very interesting “what if” to consider after Kelly left to become the offensive coordinator at Ohio State. Lynn had to have known that Chip Kelly was not particularly happy or comfortable at UCLA. He could have played the long game, betting on the eventuality that Kelly would not stay at UCLA too much longer, maybe the 2024 season at most.

No one could have predicted that after UCLA refused to fire Kelly in November and December, Kelly would walk away voluntarily in February for a coordinator job. Lynn couldn’t have known that. He could have guessed, however, that Kelly was not going to coach UCLA beyond 2024. Lynn might have been in position to be the heir apparent in 2025. We’ll never know.

Let’s sort through some details of the Chip Kelly aftermath and look at the Bruins’ prospects in their coaching search, which are of interest to USC fans:

IF UCLA FIRED CHIP KELLY IN LATE NOVEMBER, WHO WOULD BE THE BRUINS’ COACH TODAY?

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Lewis went to San Diego State. UCLA would have had him as an available candidate. This would have been a great hire, but the Bruins played their cards poorly.

THE ODDS OF D’ANTON LYNN TAKING THE UCLA JOB

(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Very low. Lynn wanted off UCLA’s sinking ship when he went to USC. The time for UCLA to make a move for Lynn was in late November. No second chances for the Bruins. Sorry.

WHO WILL ACTUALLY BECOME UCLA’S HEAD COACH?

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

We have no strong read on the situation, other than the Bruins are very unlikely to get a coach who is considered a rising star in the business. It’s hard to see how a rock-star coach would want to go to UCLA right now, given everything going on (or…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/d-anton-lynn-saw-sinking-153424433.html

Author : Trojans Wire

Publish date : 2024-02-11 15:34:24

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