The Washington Commanders announced today they have named Anthony Lynn as the team's run game coordinator/running backs coach.Â
Lynn joins the Commanders after serving as the assistant head coach/running backs coach for the San Francisco 49ers. Â
In 2023, Lynn continued to work with running back Christian McCaffrey who won Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year and led the league in rushing yards (1,459) and finished fourth for rushing touchdowns (14). McCaffrey earned Pro Bowl honors for the fourth consecutive season and was selected to the Associated Press All-Pro first-team. Lynn also worked with full back Kyle Juszczyk who earned Pro Bowl honors for the eighth consecutive season. The 49ers earned their second consecutive NFC West title and their first NFC championship since 2019. Â
After acquiring McCaffrey via trade in 2022, Lynn worked closely with the running back who was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week twice (Weeks 8 & 14) and NFC Offensive Player of the Month (December/January). Â
Prior to joining the 49ers, Lynn served as the offense coordinator for the Detroit Lions for one season (2021). Running back D'Andre Swift rushed for a then career-high 617 yards and finished second on the team with 62 receptions. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown led the Lions with 90 catches for 912 yards and five touchdowns. Â
From 2017-20, Lynn was the head coach for the Los Angeles Chargers. In 2020, Lynn worked with rookie quarterback Justin Herbert who set NFL rookie records for most passing touchdowns (31) and offensive touchdowns (36). Herbert was named the 2020 Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year and the PFWA Rookie of the Year. Â The 2018 Chargers finished with a 12-4 record and the team reached the playoffs for the first time since 2013. Â
From 2015-16, Lynn was the assistant head coach/running backs coach for the Buffalo Bills. In 2016, he also served as the offensive coordinator for the final 14 games of the season. The Bills led the NFL in rushing yards (2,432 in 2015 and 2,630in 2016), rushing touchdowns (19 in 2015 and 29 in 2016) and yards per carry (4.8 in 2015 and 5.3 in 2016) during his time in Buffalo. Â
Lynn was with the New York Jets for six seasons (2009-14) and served as running backs coach (2009-13) and assistant head coach/running backs coach (2014). In 2014, the Jets ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards per game (142.5). From 2007-08, Lynn worked as the running backs coach with the Cleveland Browns. Â
Prior to his time in Cleveland, Lynn was the running backs coach for the Dallas Cowboys for two seasons (2005-06) and the running backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars for two seasons (2003-04). Â
Lynn began his coaching career with the Denver Broncos as an offensive assistant/assistant special teams coach from 2000-02. Â
Lynn entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 1992 with the New York Giants. He spent time with the Denver Broncos (1993-94, 1997-99) and the San Francisco 49ers (1995-96). Lynn played in 83 career games and won two Super Bowls (XXXII and XXXIII). Â
A native of Celina, TX., Lynn played collegiately at Texas Tech University where he earned AllSouthwest Conference honors. Lynn is married to his wife, Stacey, and has two children, D'Anton and Danielle.