Throughout the Browns' search for a new head coach, associate editor and staff writer Kelsey Russo will break down the candidates as they go through the interview process with the team. Next, let's look at Commanders run game coordinator/running backs coach Anthony Lynn.
1) Lynn has established strong ground games at each of his stops in the NFL as a running backs coach. His first opportunity to coach running backs came with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2003, where the Jaguars ranked eighth in rushing yards. Lynn then spent two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys from 2005-06 and finished in the top half of the league in rushing yards in both seasons. In 2006, the Cowboys finished third in rushing touchdowns, helped by Marion Barber ranking third among all running backs with 14 rushing touchdowns.
During his stint with the New York Jets from 2009-14, they ranked in the top 10 in rushing yards per game in four of Lynn's six seasons. As the assistant head coach, Lynn helped the Jets average 142.5 yards per game, which led the AFC. Then for the two seasons that Lynn coached for the Buffalo Bills from 2015-16, the team led the league in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and yards per carry.
2) Lynn brings previous experience as a head coach, as he was the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers for four seasons. Lynn's most successful year came in 2018, when the Chargers earned a playoff berth with a 12-4 record, which included them winning seven of their nine games after a Week 8 bye. It was the Chargers' best record since 2009, when they led the AFC West by going 13-3, and the fifth time in franchise history that the team notched at least 12 wins.
3) When Lynn was hired as the head coach of the Chargers, he became the franchise's first African American head coach in its 56-year history.
4) Lynn is a two-time Super Bowl champion, as he was a member of Denver Broncos' back-to-back Super Bowl teams in 1997 and 1998. He spent his NFL career as a reserve running back and special teams player from 1992-99, first entering the league as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants. He spent time with the Broncos from 1993-94 and 1997-99, and the San Francisco 49ers from 1995-96.
5) Lynn played college football at Texas Tech University from 1988-1991 as a running back. Lynn's final season at Texas Tech was cut short by injury, but he saw the bulk of his success as a junior. He rushed 884 yards and eight touchdowns, earning him an All-Southwest Conference selection in 1990. Over the three years that he saw significant playing time, Lynn rushed for 1,972 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns to go with 37 passes for 300 receiving yards.
