Johnnie Lynn enters his first season as defensive backs coach for the Oakland Raiders. An assistant coach for 18 years at the NFL level, Lynn coached defensive backs for the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
Johnnie Lynn enters his first season as defensive backs coach for the Oakland Raiders. An assistant coach for 18 years at the NFL level, Lynn coached defensive backs for the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
Lynn joined the Philadelphia staff after five seasons with San Francisco, marking his second stint with the 49ers. He served as secondary coach and was given the additional title of special assistant to head coach prior to the 2009 season. Lynn oversaw a secondary comprised of two former Pro Bowlers in San Francisco, and through the final five games of 2008, the 49ers boasted the NFL’s third-best pass defense, allowing just 887 yards during that span.
Prior to joining the San Francisco staff in 2006, Lynn served as secondary coach of the Baltimore Ravens for two seasons (2004-05). In 2004, the Ravens’ secondary accounted for six of the team’s seven defensive touchdowns. He also coached two Ravens defensive backs who earned starting Pro Bowl nods: S Ed Reed and CB Chris McAlister. Reed was also named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2004.
Prior to joining the Ravens, Lynn spent seven seasons with the New York Giants, serving five years (1997-01) as secondary coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator for the 2002 and 2003 seasons. In his first season as defensive coordinator, the Giants’ stingy defense ranked third in the NFL in points allowed, holding opponents to 17.4 per game. The Giants also finished ninth in both total defense (309.3 per game) and pass defense (194.9).
Lynn coached defensive backs for the 49ers in 1996, coaching a Pro Bowler, and was the secondary coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1994 and 1995. Before moving into the NFL coaching ranks, Lynn served in a number of coaching capacities at the University of Arizona from 1987-93. He started as the Wildcats’ graduate assistant in 1987 and was elevated to outside linebackers coach (1988-91) before taking over the defensive backs (1992-93).
Lynn enjoyed an eight-year NFL career (1979-86) with the New York Jets as a cornerback and safety. He originally joined the Jets as a fourth-round draft pick out of UCLA. He ended his career 10th on the Jets’ career interception list with 17. A four-year letterman at UCLA, Lynn played on four bowl teams and garnered All-PAC 10 honors as a senior. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history.
Lynn and his wife, Laurie, are the parents of three children.
