The Saskatchewan Roughriders named Linnen as their defensive assistant on Jan 15. 2023.

In his first year as a defensive assistant with the Green and White, Linnen worked closely with Coach Joshua Bell to secure the Riders’ defensive backfield. In 2024, Linnen helped coach three coverage specialists to All-CFL nods: Milligan Jr. (halfback), Marcus Sayles (cornerback) and C.J. Reavis (cover linebacker). 

Before joining the Roughriders, Linnen spent two years as the running backs coach with the Edmonton Elks. With the Elks, Linnen helped develop Kevin Brown into a premier tailback. Brown finished the 2023 season with 1,149 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Prior to joining the professional coaching ranks, Linnen spent four seasons at Simon Fraser University ​(2018-2021), primarily as their defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator. He was also a guest coach with the B.C. Lions in 2019 and earlier coached with the Langley Rams of the British Columbia Football Conference in 2016.

As a player, the Surrey, B.C. native spent time with the Lions and Montreal Alouettes and played his college football at Acadia University (2008-2009) and the University of Manitoba (2013-2014), after playing for Langley from 2009 to 2012.