Chip Kelly had nothing but positives to say about former UCLA defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn when he spoke about him on Sunday’s bowl game teleconference call.

Lynn was officially named USC’s next defensive coordinator last Friday. After a wildly successful first season with the Bruins, the news that Lynn was moving across town to coach at their rival hit fans hard.

Kelly said UCLA made a push to keep him, but it could not compete with USC’s offer.

“We made a push to keep D’Anton. We weren’t in the ballpark from that standpoint,” Kelly said Sunday. “I think D’Anton is a tremendous young football coach. USC wasn’t the only team that was courting him. He did a tremendous job for us this year. We led the Pac-12 in defense and he had a huge part in that.

“I think D’Anton’s special. It was a tough decision for him, but he has to do what’s best for him and his family. I wish him all the best.”

The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman reported that Lynn was offered a three-year, $6 million contract by USC. The Trojans will also pay him a $500,000 housing stipend.

The 34-year-old coordinator was in demand, and some even wanted UCLA to make him the program’s next head coach.

Now, he’ll help rebuild USC’s defense as the programs make the jump to the Big Ten.