Anthony Lynn

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).

Coaching career

Upon retiring in 2000, he joined the Denver coaching staff as an offensive assistant and special teams coach (2000–2002), before joining 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 and quickly joined the Dallas Cowboys staff as the running backs coach. 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.

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. When he did not get the position, he followed Rex Ryan to the Buffalo Bills where he has taken the same position. On September 16, 2016, Lynn was promoted to offensive coordinator / assistant head coach of the Bills when Greg Roman was fired. Then later in September, Lynn was promoted to offensive coordinator. 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." Lynn made his debut as offensive coordinator against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling out a 33-18 win.

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

On January 12, 2017, Lynn was hired to become the 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. Lynn's hire was confirmed by the Chargers one day later on January 13 the team's website. Anthony Lynn is the franchise's first African-American head coach in its 56-year history.

Coaching philosophy

Lynn is known for advocating the infamous "Ground and Pound" technique. He likes to run the ball on offense, and keep the defense rested so they can "pound" the opposing team. He provides a strong running game and has exceptional run reads. Offensively, his approach spirals off the idea that the running game should open up opportunities for the passing game. He welcomes input from his players and gives them a voice. By simplifying the playbook, Lynn said he aims to reduce the stress of his players so they can execute with precision. Lynn has coached some of the best running backs in the game and has been the common denominator in some of the greatest rushing offenses.

Head coaching record

* – Interim head coach

Head coach interest

On December 30, 2015, the Miami Dolphins interviewed Lynn for their head coach position. He was the fourth head coaching candidate interviewed that week. 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. Lynn knew the organization well and was extremely well-respected.

In January 2016, Lynn was a head coaching candidate for the San Francisco 49ers, but removed his name from consideration before a decision was made. 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. 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.

Accomplishments

Personal life

Lynn has a son, D'Anton, and a daughter, Danielle, with his ex-wife, Cynda. He married journalist Stacey Bell in 2011. Stacey and Anthony Lynn married on March 5, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. 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.

During Cowboys training camp on August 20, 2005, Lynn was a victim of a hit-and-run automobile accident. Lynn and Todd Haley, both offensive assistants for Bill Parcells, were out for pizza after the end of training camp in Ventura, California. Although Lynn has difficulty remembering all of the details, Haley remembers them all too well. After the hit-and-run by a drunk driver, Sergio Sandoval, both of Lynn's lungs collapsed and due to shock, suffered from temporary paralysis in his legs. Lynn would then go through four surgeries on his face, knee and shoulder due to the incident. Haley recalled the night of the tragic accident, "The breathing is what I remember, his nasal cavity was open, it was an awful sound. He would stir and not really know where he was or what was going on. I don't think anyone survives that but somebody who built their body for years of running down kickoffs and the things he did as an NFL player. I just don't know who survives that." As a testament to Lynn's perseverance and strength, he was back on the field in a week and a half because he did not want to disappoint his team, the Cowboys. The incident created an immediate long-lasting bond between Lynn and Haley. "I will always root for Anthony," Haley said. "He was tied up and under contract when I got this job, but he's somebody I'd love to be working with again. Maybe, when he's a head coach." On Thursday, April 13, 2017 at the funeral service for his former coach Spike Dykes of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, Lynn gave a heartfelt and inspiring eulogy about the work ethic and person-to-person attitude he learned from his college football mentor.

Coaching tree

Lynn has worked under 5 head coaches: