UCLA’s Darius Muasau and Jay Toia tackle Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall.
(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)
When UCLA’s defensive players return to the sideline after a series, they’re almost surprised to see one person.
Their defensive coordinator.
It’s a position that usually involves making calls from the press box, but D’Anton Lynn prefers being closer to the field.
“When we first heard that he was going to be down there, it was like, ‘Oh, he’s not going to be in the box?’” defensive lineman Dovid Magna said. “We got excited because when we make a play and come off on the sideline just like every other coach and player is coming up to you and is like, ‘Good play,’ he’s right there with us and he’s like, ‘That was awesome,’ and we’re like, ‘That was a great call,’ all that stuff, so it’s just awesome having him down there.”
There was celebrating all around in the opener. UCLA held Coastal Carolina to 13 points while logging 10 tackles for loss and four sacks on a night the Bruins also forced three turnovers.
