Anthony Lynn

The {{height|ft=6|in=3}} 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. Lynn 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 in 1997 and 1998.{{Cite web|url=http://proplayerinsiders.com/nfl-player-team-news-features/anthony-lynn-passes-first-test-offensive-coordinator/|title=Anthony Lynn Passes First Test As Offensive Coordinator|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215215742/http://proplayerinsiders.com/nfl-player-team-news-features/anthony-lynn-passes-first-test-offensive-coordinator/|archive-date=February 15, 2019|url-status=dead}}

Upon retiring in 2000, Lynn joined the Denver coaching staff as an offensive assistant and special teams coach.

Lynn then joined 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.{{Cite web|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/4809752|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930034008/http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/4809752|url-status=dead|title=FOX Sports on MSN - NFL|archive-date=September 30, 2007}}

After leaving Jacksonville,

Lynn quickly joined the Dallas Cowboys staff as the running backs coach.{{cite web | url=https://www.myplainview.com/news/amp/Cowboys-add-new-running-backs-coach-8486772.php | title=Cowboys add new running backs coach | date=February 15, 2005 | work=Plainview Daily Herald | location=Plainview, Texas | access-date=November 25, 2021}}

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.{{Cite web | url=http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=60FB703F-A810-DE14-E3A734CBE7E662FA | title=Cowboys Meet With Veteran Coach Wade Phillips | first=Nick | last=Eatman | date=January 26, 2007 | publisher=Dallas Cowboys | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202031534/http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=60FB703F-A810-DE14-E3A734CBE7E662FA | url-status=dead | archive-date=February 2, 2007}}

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. From 2009 to 2013, with Lynn as running backs coach, the Jets running game produced an NFL-leading 137.0 yards per game.{{Cite web|title=Anthony Lynn Coaches Inc. Bio|url=http://coachesinc.com/bio.aspx?id=18|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011124910/http://coachesinc.com/bio.aspx?id=18|archive-date=October 11, 2016}} In 2013, Lynn helped Chris Ivory establish a team-leading 833 yards on 182 carries.

When Lynn did not get the position of head coach of the New York Jets, he followed Rex Ryan to the Buffalo Bills where he took the same position of running back coach. The Bills had the top rushing game in the NFL during the 2015–2016 season.{{Cite web|date=January 8, 2016|title=Anthony Lynn Up Among Bills Coaches|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/buffalo-bills/post/_/id/23290/anthony-lynn-up-dennis-thurman-down-among-bills-coaches-in-2015}} On September 16, 2016, Lynn was promoted to assistant head coach and offensive coordinator of the Bills when Greg Roman was fired.{{cite web | last=Rodak | first=Mike | title=Anthony Lynn up, Dennis Thurman down among Bills' coaches in 2015 | website=ESPN.com | date=2016-01-08 | url=https://www.espn.com/blog/buffalo-bills/post/_/id/23290/anthony-lynn-up-dennis-thurman-down-among-bills-coaches-in-2015 | access-date=2024-12-27}}{{cite web | last=Gleason | first=Bucky | title=Anthony Lynn helps Bills get their house in order | website=Buffalo News | date=2024-12-19 | url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/anthony-lynn-helps-bills-get-their-house-in-order/article_2e60ce90-8036-5753-99ba-8e6f5b91d1db.html | access-date=2024-12-21}} 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."{{Cite web|url=http://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/index.ssf/2016/09/what_buffalo_bills_oc_anthony_lynn_said_in_first_press_conference_transcript.html|title=Anthony Lynn Press Conference Transcript|date=September 22, 2016}} Lynn made his debut as offensive coordinator against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling out a 33–18 win.{{cite web | last=Wilhalme | first=Matt | title=AFC notes: Broncos have been the best in September over the last three years | website=Los Angeles Times | date=2016-09-25 | url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-nfl-afc-notes-20160924-snap-story.html | access-date=2024-12-21}} Lynn was named interim head coach on December 27, 2016, after Rex Ryan was fired.{{cite web | title=Bills Announce Coaching Changes | publisher=Buffalo Bills | url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-announce-coaching-changes/99727b25-0911-42e4-a933-d633ccf4e7a0 | access-date=December 27, 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

On December 30, 2015, the Miami Dolphins interviewed Lynn for their head coach position.{{Cite web|url=http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/01/06/dolphins-interview-bills-assistant-anthony-lynn-for-head-coaching-job/|title=Dolphins Interview Bills Assistant Anthony Lynn for Head Coaching Job|date=January 6, 2016}} He was the fourth head coaching candidate interviewed that week.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/miami-dolphins/post/_/id/19303/dolphins-interview-anthony-lynn-on-wednesday|title=Dolphins Interview Anthony Lynn|date=January 6, 2016}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.metro.us/new-york/anthony-lynn-to-get-in-house-interview-for-jets-head-coach-job/zsJnlD---eShMArRsu3q32/|title=Anthony Lynn To Get In-House Interview For Jets Head Coach Job}} Lynn knew the organization well and was extremely well-respected.{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2015/01/06/why-the-jets-should-and-shouldnt-hire-these-7-coaches/|title=Jets Seven Potential Head Coaches|date=January 6, 2015}}

In January 2016, Lynn was a head coaching candidate for the San Francisco 49ers,{{Cite web|url=http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/report-49ers-setting-interview-anthony-lynn|title=49ers Set To Interview Anthony Lynn|date=January 5, 2016}} but removed his name from consideration before a decision was made.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ninersnation.com/2016/1/22/10816000/anthony-lynn-removes-name-from-49ers-oc-consideration|title=Lynn Removes Name From 49ers Consideration|date=January 22, 2016}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/possible-head-coaches-with-most-to-gain-and-lose-0ap3000000592500|title=Possible Head Coaches With Most To Gain And Lose|website=NFL.com }} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chargers-hire-anthony-lynn-as-their-new-head-coach-0ap3000000773571|title=Chargers hire Anthony Lynn as their new head coach|website=NFL.com }}

On January 12, 2017, Lynn was hired to become the new 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.{{Cite web | url=https://www.chargers.com/video/anthony-lynn-stops-by-nfl-network-145396 | title=Anthony Lynn Stops By NFL Network}} Lynn's hire was confirmed by the Chargers one day later on January 13 on the team's website.{{cite web | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chargers-hire-anthony-lynn-as-their-new-head-coach-0ap3000000773571 | title=Chargers hire Anthony Lynn as their new head coach | first=Gregg | last=Rosenthal | date=January 13, 2017 | website=NFL.com}} Lynn became the franchise's first African-American head coach in its 56-year history.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18470810/los-angeles-chargers-officially-tap-anthony-lynn-new-head-coach | title=Chargers officially tap Anthony Lynn as new head coach | date=January 13, 2017 | website=ESPN.com}}

In his second season as the Chargers head coach, Lynn led Los Angeles to a 12–4 record, earning its first playoff berth since 2013. The Chargers went on to defeat the Baltimore Ravens in the wild card round 23–17, before being eliminated in the divisional round by the eventual Super Bowl LIII champion New England Patriots by a score of 41–28.

Lynn would miss the playoffs in 2019, finishing last in the AFC West with a 5–11 record.{{Cite web | last=Miller | first=Jeff | date=December 29, 2019 | title=Chargers can't hang with Chiefs in season-ending loss, face big offseason questions | url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/story/2019-12-29/chargers-turnovers-lose-chiefs-season-finale-nfl-week-17 | access-date=November 25, 2021 | work=Los Angeles Times | language=en-US}} During the subsequent offseason, the Chargers parted ways with Philip Rivers, who had been the team's starting quarterback since 2006.{{Cite web | title=Philip Rivers signs with Colts: Quarterback gets one-year contract worth roughly $25 million | first=Jeff | last=Kerr | date=March 21, 2020 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/philip-rivers-signs-with-colts-quarterback-gets-one-year-contract-worth-roughly-25-million/ | access-date=November 25, 2021 | website=CBS Sports | language=en}} In the 2020 NFL draft, the Chargers drafted quarterback Justin Herbert of Oregon sixth overall, seen as an eventual replacement for Rivers.{{Cite web | title=Chargers Select QB Justin Herbert at No. 6 overall | first=Chris | last=Hayre | date=April 23, 2020 | url=https://www.chargers.com/news/justin-herbert-nfl-draft-quarterback-oregon | access-date=November 25, 2021 | website=chargers.com | language=en-US}}

In 2020, the Chargers missed the playoffs and finished third in the AFC West with a 7–9 record, winning their final four games of the season. On January 4, 2021, Lynn was fired by the Chargers. He finished his Chargers tenure with a 33–31 (.516) regular season record and 1–1 postseason record.{{Cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30650606/los-angeles-chargers-fire-anthony-lynn-four-seasons-coach | title=Los Angeles Chargers fire Anthony Lynn after four seasons as coach | work=ESPN.com | first=Shelley | last=Smith | date=January 4, 2021 | access-date=November 25, 2021}}

On January 23, 2021, Lynn was hired by the Detroit Lions as their offensive coordinator.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/lions-to-hire-former-chargers-hc-anthony-as-offensive-coordinator|title=Lions to hire former Chargers HC Anthony Lynn as offensive coordinator. On January 10, 2022, Lynn and the lions agreed to part ways.|website=NFL.com|first=Jelani|last=Scott|date=January 23, 2021|access-date=January 23, 2021}} On January 10, 2022, Lions head coach Dan Campbell announced the team and Lynn were parting ways.{{Cite web |last=Birkett |first=Dave |date=January 10, 2022 |title=Detroit Lions fire OC Anthony Lynn |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2022/01/10/detroit-lions-dan-campbell-fire-oc-anthony-lynn/9160303002/ |access-date=January 10, 2022 |website=Detroit Free Press}}

On February 4, 2022, Lynn was hired by the San Francisco 49ers as their assistant head coach.{{cite web|title=Anthony Lynn expected to be hired as 49ers assistant head coach |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/anthony-lynn-expected-to-be-hired-as-49ers-assistant-head-coach|author=Gordon, Grant|website=NFL.com|date=February 4, 2022}} Lynn gained the additional title of running backs coach when Bobby Turner stepped away to address health issues.{{cite web|title=49ers announce changes to Kyle Shanahan's 2022 coaching staff|url=https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/156669-49ers-announce-changes-kyle-shanahans-2022-coaching-staff/|website=49erswebzone.com|date=March 7, 2022}} Turner returned later to share running back coaching duties.{{Cite web |last=Cohn |first=Grant |date=September 30, 2022 |title=Bobby Turner Returns to the 49ers |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/news/bobby-turner-returns-to-the-49ers-coaching-staff}}

Following the 49ers' loss in the 2023 NFC Championship Game, the Washington Commanders were granted permission to interview Lynn for their vacancy at offensive coordinator in February 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-set-to-interview-anthony-lynn-for-offensive-coordinator |title=Commanders set to interview Anthony Lynn for offensive coordinator |first=Zach |last=Selby |date=February 1, 2023 |accessdate=February 1, 2023}} The position ultimately went to Eric Bieniemy; however, the following season the Commanders and Bieniemy parted ways and Lynn was hired for the role of run game coordinator.{{Cite web |last=Keim |first=John |date=2024-02-14 |title=Source: Commanders add Lynn to coaching staff |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39524847/commanders-add-anthony-lynn-coaching-staff-source-says |access-date=2024-02-14 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

On February 15, 2024, Lynn was hired by the Washington Commanders as their run game coordinator and running backs coach under head coach Dan Quinn.{{cite web|title=Washington Commanders announce coaching staff|url=https://www.commanders.com/news/washington-commanders-announce-coaching-staff-2024|publisher=Washington Commanders|date=15 February 2024}}

Lynn has a son, D'Anton, and a daughter, Danielle, with his ex-wife, Cynda. He married journalist Stacey Bell on March 5, 2011, in Dallas, Texas.{{cite web | title=Where Are They Now? | website=Texas Tech Red Raiders | date=2002-10-20 | url=https://texastech.com/news/2002/10/20/Where_Are_They_Now_.aspx | access-date=2024-12-21}} 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. D’Anton was soon released. 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.newyorkjets.com/videos/videos/Son-Following-Anthony-Lynn%E2%80%99s-Footsteps-to-the-NFL-/29fdc90c-896d-408d-8795-d59093db84bc|title=Son Following Anthony Lynn Footsteps To The NFL|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817054852/http://www.newyorkjets.com/videos/videos/Son-Following-Anthony-Lynn%E2%80%99s-Footsteps-to-the-NFL-/29fdc90c-896d-408d-8795-d59093db84bc|archive-date=August 17, 2016|url-status=dead}}

During Cowboys training camp on August 20, 2005, Lynn was a victim of a hit-and-run automobile accident.{{Cite web |date=2005-09-04 |title=Cowboys assistant returrns after near-fatal accident |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2152037 |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}} Lynn and Todd Haley, both offensive assistants for Bill Parcells, were out for pizza after training camp in Ventura, California.{{Cite web|url=http://cowboyszone.com/threads/dmn-coach-lynn-has-put-accident-behind-him.60911/|title=Coach Lynn Has Put Accident Behind Him|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011120253/http://cowboyszone.com/threads/dmn-coach-lynn-has-put-accident-behind-him.60911/|archive-date=October 11, 2016|url-status=dead}} As Lynn and Haley were crossing the street, Lynn was hit by drunk driver Sergio Sandoval. Lynn suffered two collapsed lungs, facial and shoulder damage, and temporary paralysis in his lower body. He had four surgeries on his face, knee and shoulder due to the incident. Lynn returned to coaching less than two weeks later. Lynn's story was featured in a Verizon advertisement during Super Bowl LIII in 2019, where he was introduced to the first responders who treated him.{{cite web | last=Slefo | first=George P. | title=Chargers head coach in Verizon Super Bowl ad: It's a 'miracle' I'm alive | website=Ad Age | date=2019-02-03 | url=https://adage.com/article/super-bowl/chargers-coach-anthony-lynn-a-miracle-alive-verizon-super-bowl-ad/316480 | access-date=2024-10-31}}

On May 12, 2018, Lynn graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies.{{cite web | last=Williams | first=Eric D. | title=Chargers' Lynn finishes degree, walks at UNLV | website=ESPN.com | date=2018-05-12 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/23476221/anthony-lynn-los-angeles-chargers-receive-bachelor-degree-unlv | access-date=2024-10-31}}

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