Whispers of current USC coach returning to previous stint following recent firing

Hindsight can, of course, be 20/20 when it comes to program decisions. Based, however, on how the UCLA season has unfolded, it appears that they could be having a form of remorse that they allowed a certain assistant to cross town and join USC. Coach D'Anton Lynn is rumored to be a potential candidate for the Bruins to pursue for their recently vacant HC position.

It is known that coach DeShaun Foster's time at UCLA was not going to last too much longer. Despite making some apparent strides on the recruiting trail and solidifying the transfer commitment of Nico Iamaleava, the Bruins failed to get much of anything going, and it did not look like that was going to change any time soon.

Now the Bruins are actively looking for potential candidates. Unless they know something most people don't, they will be forced to eventually hire someone who is currently in a position. Certainly, coach Nick Saban could come out of retirement, or coach Urban Meyer could step away from the booth once again. In the unlikely event of either of those two heading back to the sidelines, few would believe that UCLA would be their landing spot. It would take an opening at USC for coach Meyer or Saban to consider making the move to Los Angeles.

It would, however, make all of the sense in the world for UCLA to consider targeting a reunion with coach Lynn. The Trojan DC has done exceptionally well and has a proven track record of being able to improve the defense. Already through the 2025 season, there have been significant strides made with him in charge of the unit.

In many ways, the intensity and detailed approach are exactly what the Bruins need, especially when considering how the program has struggled to adjust to the Big Ten.

Comments from USC DC

Coach Lynn, however, as shared by the LA Times' Ryan Kartje, has made it known that he has not been contacted by the school and that his focus instead is on preparing for Michigan State.

Even if and when the Bruins attempt to persuade coach Lynn to come back to UCLA, it is highly doubtful that he would evaluate the current situation of the program that just fired its HC and wants to move on from a situation in which he is building a tremendous amount of momentum at USC.