Anthony Lynn: NFL Head Coach & Former Player

Anthony Lynn is a respected NFL coach and former running back, known for his leadership, player development skills, and offensive expertise. Born on December 21, 1968, in McKinney, Texas, Lynn has had a long career in football, both as a player and as a coach.

Playing Career

• College: Texas Tech University (Running Back, 1988–1991)
• NFL Teams:
  • Denver Broncos (1993–1994, 1997–1999)
  • San Francisco 49ers (1995–1996)
• Lynn went undrafted in 1992 but signed with the Broncos. His playing career was hampered by injuries, yet he was part of two Super Bowl-winning teams with Denver (Super Bowl XXXII & XXXIII), primarily contributing on special teams and as a backup running back.

Coaching Career

• Began as a special teams assistant with the Denver Broncos in 2000.
• Held various assistant coaching roles, particularly focused on running backs, with multiple teams:
  • Jacksonville Jaguars (2003–2004)
  • Dallas Cowboys (2005–2006)
  • Cleveland Browns (2007–2008)
  • New York Jets (2009–2014)
  • Buffalo Bills (2015–2016) – served as Assistant Head Coach, then Offensive Coordinator, and briefly as Interim Head Coach (2016)
• Los Angeles Chargers (2017–2020): Hired as Head Coach. Lynn led the Chargers to a 12–4 record and a playoff victory in 2018, their best season in years. He finished his Chargers tenure with a 33–31 record.
• Later joined the Detroit Lions as Offensive Coordinator (2021), and the San Francisco 49ers as Assistant Head Coach and Running Backs Coach (2022–present).

Accomplishments & Highlights

• Two-time Super Bowl champion as a player (Denver Broncos, 1997, 1998)
• Known for developing strong rushing attacks and mentoring running backs
• Respected for his leadership, adaptability, and steady presence on and off the field
• Helped guide the Chargers to their first playoff win in five years (2018 Wild Card round)

Anthony Lynn's journey from undrafted player to NFL head coach is a testament to his perseverance, football IQ, and leadership. He remains a highly regarded figure in NFL coaching circles.

Legacy & Career Overview

Anthony Lynn: NFL Head Coach – Comprehensive Biography

Anthony Lynn is a respected figure in the National Football League (NFL), known both for his achievements as a player and his extensive coaching career. Born on December 21, 1968, in McKinney, Texas, Lynn’s journey through football has been marked by perseverance, adaptability, and consistent leadership.

Early Life and Playing Career

Anthony Lynn attended Celina High School in Texas before moving on to college football at Texas Tech University. As a running back for the Texas Tech Red Raiders (1988–1991), Lynn was known for his combination of size and speed. Despite battling injuries during his collegiate career, he was a productive player and earned All-SWC (Southwest Conference) honors in
1990. His performance caught the attention of NFL scouts, although injuries affected his draft stock.

Lynn entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 1993, signing with the New York Giants. He later spent most of his playing career with the Denver Broncos (1993, 1997–1999) and also had a stint with the San Francisco 49ers (1995–1996). As a running back, Lynn primarily contributed on special teams and as a backup. He was part of the Broncos’ roster during their back-to-back Super Bowl victories (XXXII and XXXIII) in the 1997 and 1998 seasons, earning two Super Bowl rings before retiring as a player after the 1999 season.

Coaching Career

Immediately upon retiring, Anthony Lynn transitioned into coaching, quickly carving out a reputation as a strong developer of talent and a respected leader. His coaching career began with the Denver Broncos as a special teams assistant (2000–2002). He then moved to the Jacksonville Jaguars (2003–2004) as the running backs coach, where he helped develop future Pro Bowlers and contributed to a strong ground game.

Lynn later served as running backs coach for several teams:

• Dallas Cowboys (2005–2006) – Developing the likes of Marion Barber and Julius Jones.
• Cleveland Browns (2007–2008) – Working with Jamal Lewis, who posted a 1,300-yard season under Lynn's guidance.
• New York Jets (2009–2014) – Here, Lynn helped build one of the league’s most potent rushing attacks, with Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene enjoying career years. The Jets made back-to-back AFC Championship appearances in 2009 and 2010.
• Buffalo Bills (2015–2016) – Originally as running backs coach, before being promoted to offensive coordinator and then interim head coach during the 2016 season after Rex Ryan's dismissal.

As Buffalo’s interim head coach for one game, Lynn showcased his adaptability and leadership, earning widespread respect around the league. His performance and resume led to his hiring as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers in January 2017, making him the first African American head coach in the franchise’s history.

Los Angeles Chargers Head Coaching Tenure (2017–2020)

Lynn’s tenure with the Chargers was marked by an immediate turnaround. In his debut season (2017), he led the team to a 9–7 record, narrowly missing the playoffs. The following year, the Chargers went 12–4 in 2018, their best record in over a decade, and won a playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens before falling to the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round. Lynn was lauded for his steady leadership, ability to maximize talent on both sides of the ball, and for developing young players such as running back Austin Ekeler.

The 2019 and 2020 seasons were more challenging, as the Chargers struggled with injuries and close losses, finishing with records of 5–11 and 7–9, respectively. Despite the adversity, Lynn was credited for his mentorship of rookie quarterback Justin Herbert, who broke several rookie passing records in 2020 and won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Nevertheless, after four seasons and a 33–31 overall record, Lynn was let go by the Chargers after the 2020 season.

Recent Roles and Legacy

After his head coaching stint, Anthony Lynn continued his coaching career as an offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. He joined the Detroit Lions in 2021 as their offensive coordinator, and later served as the San Francisco 49ers’ assistant head coach/running backs coach under Kyle Shanahan beginning in
2022. In these roles, he has continued to be recognized for his ability to teach and inspire players, especially in the running game.

Lynn’s journey from undrafted player to Super Bowl champion to NFL head coach is a testament to his work ethic, football intelligence, and leadership. He is widely respected throughout the league for his professionalism, his steady hand in turbulent situations, and his positive influence on both veteran and young players alike.

Personal Life and Notable Facts

• Anthony Lynn survived a serious hit-and-run accident in 2005, which left him with major injuries. His resilience through recovery has inspired many.
• He is involved in several charitable causes and community outreach programs, including those focused on youth development and diversity in coaching ranks.
• Lynn has been featured in documentaries and interviews discussing leadership, adversity, and his path through the NFL.

Career Highlights and Accomplishments

• 2× Super Bowl champion as a player (XXXII, XXXIII)
• Guided Chargers to 12–4 record and playoff win in 2018
• Mentored multiple Pro Bowl running backs
• First African American head coach in Chargers franchise history
• Contributed to multiple top-5 rushing offenses as a running backs coach

Anthony Lynn’s legacy in the NFL is one of overcoming odds, leading with integrity, and leaving a lasting impact on every organization he has been part of—both on and off the field.