Anthony Lynn only lasted one season with the Detroit Lions as offensive coordinator, but he carries no ill will toward the organization.
Losing playing calling duties after the Week 9 bye meant Anthony Lynn was going to be one and done as Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator. He has sinced landed a new job on the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff.
Lynn is well-respected across the league and generally close to the vest publicly, which made even his brief expression of frustration with his reduced role this past season stand out.
Lynn made an appearance on Woodward Sports’ The Bottom Line (full video here), and he was naturally asked about his time with the Lions. He is apparently back in town to move his stuff to his new location.
Anthony Lynn had good things to say about the Lions’ organization
Q: How were the Lions able to maintain the locker room through early adversity?
"Great leadership. Dan Campbell did a helluva job creating a culture. I know the record didn’t show it, but the foundation is being laid for future success right here in Detroit….But it was outstanding leadership. Those young men showed up every single day to work and to get better. And I feel like they got better as the year went on. We had a long way to go, but I did feel like we made some improvements.”"
Lynn also praised Lions’ ownership, which is always under scrutiny.
"I know people keep saying, ‘It’s the same old, same old’, but when I got here, I was so impressed with this ownership,” said Lynn. “Sheila [Ford Hamp] is doing a heck of a job giving the Lions everything they need to be successful. And I don believe Dan and A.G, they’re laying the foundation right now for future success here, and I fully expect that.”"
Lynn was credited for handling a tough situation in Detroit as well as he did. But situations like that are often inherent in the life of a coach, and Lynn just proved why he’s regarded as a class act as he carriers no ill will toward the Lions.