One of these staff changes was at defensive coordinator after Mr. three million per year, Jim Knowles, left for Tennesee. An extended search brought him to none other than former Penn State defensive back and USC defensive coordinator, D’Anton Lynn. “He understands what it means to play at Penn State. He understands what it means to lead at Penn State,” Campbell said at Big Ten Media Days. “He’s been a defensive coordinator the past three years in this conference, the style of play, what it takes to play great defense.