Another big hire is heading to Detroit.
The Lions are hiring former Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn to fill their vacant offensive coordinator position, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday.
Michael Lombardi of The Athletic first reported the news.
Lynn, 52, joins a staff in Detroit that continues to take shape after the team announced earlier in the day that Saints secondary coach Aaron Glenn has signed on to be the new defensive coordinator. Lynn's arrival also comes on the same day that NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported star Matthew Stafford has requested to be traded.
Lynn joins the Lions 19 days after he was fired by the Chargers following a disappointing 2020 season. Although the club closed the campaign out with a four-game winning streak, L.A. finished with a 7-9 record, thanks in part to a number of close losses.
While it remains to be seen who will lead Lynn's offense next season, the veteran coach brings a wealth of knowledge to his new team. Prior to his four-year stint in L.A., which began with promise after consecutive winning seasons, Lynn spent 2016 as the Bills' offensive coordinator. Buffalo finished 16th in total offense (354.1 YPG) and 10th in scoring offense (24.9) that season.
Lynn served as an assistant head coach and running backs coach in Buffalo for the 2015 season prior to his promotion. The bulk of the former running back's coaching experience has come by way of guiding those at the position he once played.
After retiring in 2000 following a seven-year career, Lynn joined the Broncos, where he played for three seasons, as a special teams assistant under Mike Shanahan for three seasons.
He also spent short stints as the RBs coach for the Jaguars, Cowboys and Browns before joining the Jets in 2009. While there, Lynn served as the RBs coach from 2009-14, as well as an asst. HC in 2013-14.
From working under the likes of Shanahan, Bill Parcells and Rex Ryan to coaching talent such as Fred Taylor, LeSean McCoy, Philip Rivers and Justin Herbert, Lynn represents a savvy addition to Dan Campbell's staff as Detroit looks to make some noise in 2021.
