Anthony Lynn hasn’t spoken with USC, focus is ‘100000%’ with Lions

Amidst USC head coaching rumors, Anthony Lynn made clear his focus is with the Detroit Lions.

Earlier in the week, NFL reporter Jim Trotter tweeted out that USC boosters—financial supporters of the university—have reached out to current Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn about the current head coaching vacancy for their football program. In the tweet, Trotter notes that USC has not contacted Lynn, but he suggests that the Lions coach would be interested in the job.

On Thursday, Lynn addressed that report, reiterating that he has not had contact with the university and deflected any questions about his interest in the job.

“I’m surprised something like this even went public,” Lynn said. “No, I haven’t spoken with USC at all. My focus is one million percent right here with the Detroit Lions. I love what coach (Dan) Campbell and Brad Holmes are doing, the Ford family. And I love the grit in our players. I love this fan base. We want to win for these people and we’re going to build a consistent winner here. This is where my focus is right now.”

Lynn does have a strong background in Los Angeles, as he was quick to point out.

“My sister graduated from USC, half my family is in California, a lot of guys I played with went to USC, so of course those guys have talked to me,” Lynn said. That’s flattering, but to be honest with you, and we’ve got a hell of an opportunity to get our first (win) at Soldier Field.”

When asked if Lynn would be interested in the USC job after the season is open, he deflected.

“Right now I don’t even have enough time to think about something like that, you know?” Lynn responded.

Does he want to be a head coach in the future? More deflection.

“Right now, I just want to be a successful coordinator.”

At this point, it seems unlikely Lynn would jump ship in the middle of the season—and that would be a fairly irregular move in the NFL—so the drama will have to wait until the end of the season.