Josh Lynn | West Texas A&M University

Josh Lynn is in his first season at the helm of the West Texas A&M Football program after being named the 29th head coach in program history in December of 2022.

 

Lynn, widely regarded as one of the nation’s up-and-coming head coaches, comes to Canyon following six seasons at the University of Nebraska-Kearney where he led the Lopers to an overall record of 35-25 including a run to the Second Round of the 2021 NCAA Division II Playoffs. Lynn coached 61 all-conference selections during his time in Kearney while being named the MIAA Coach of the Year in 2021. 

 

The Lopers won a single game the season prior to Lynn’s arrival, since then he turned Kearney into a national contender with three winning seasons including 18 victories over the last two years. UNK also excelled in the classroom during his tenure, placing 188 student-athletes on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll.

 

UNK went 8-3 overall this past season as they were nationally and regionally ranked throughout the fall, placing 15 on the All-MIAA teams. Quarterback TJ Davis was once again a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy as the junior claimed MIAA Offensive Player of the Year accolades for the second time while being named an AFCA Second Team All-American.

 

2021 saw the Lopers finish 10-3 overall with a 9-2 mark in the MIAA, reaching the second round of the NCAA Playoffs. UNK was regionally and nationally ranked throughout the year and saw Davis finish as the Harlon Hill Trophy Runner Up while also being named the MIAA Offensive Player of the Year. Thirteen others were named All-MIAA with Davis, Darius Swanson and Corey Hoelck tabbed as All-Americans.

 

The 2020 season was canceled by the pandemic but UNK was one of a handful of DII schools to play in the fall. The Lopers won at Pittsburg State, 31-26, for the first time in 37 years while beating in-state rival Chadron State, 45-35, at home. It was the first meeting between UNK and CSC in a decade. Two other games were canceled due to COVID protocols, thus making UNK one of 13 unbeaten teams in DII for the 2020-21 fall/spring season. More importantly, the team posted a 3.04 cumulative GPA for the year, a rise of a half point since Lynn's arrival. 

 

Another big step took placed in 2019 as Kearney posted a 7-5 record, its first winning season in the MIAA era. The Lopers upset Northwest Missouri State, 24-17, as part of a three-game win streak and toppled Winona State, 50-33 in the Mineral Water Bowl to mark UNK’s fourth-ever postseason victory.

 

Fourteen Lopers were named All-MIAA with Davis selected as the league’s top freshmen. Senior Sal Silvio was again named All-Region with Josh Stoltenberg chosen as an honorable mention All-American. Hinwa Allieu signed with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons after earning first-team All-MIAA honors.

 

In 2018 the Lopers improved again, going 5-6 and beginning with back-to-back wins. They capped their most successful season since 2012 with a last second road victory in the finale at Washburn. Eleven Lopers were named All-MIAA as UNK was among the national leaders in rushing.

 

During his first season at UNK in 2017, the Lopers were among the MIAA leaders in total defense, rushing defense, fourth down conversion rate and fewest sacks allowed. Seven Lopers were named All-MIAA with 35 making the MIAA Academic Honor Roll and one tabbed Academic All-District. 

 

Lynn is no stranger to the Lone Star Conference and West Texas. Prior to taking the reins at UNK, Lynn spent five seasons at rival Eastern New Mexico University where he directed the turnaround of his alma mater, which had not had a winning season since 2004 prior to his arrival. He led the Greyhounds to 27 victories including a pair of C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl appearances and a share of the 2013 Lone Star Conference Title.  

 

During that time ENMU set numerous school records while ranking among the national leaders in a variety of categories including: total offense, rushing offense, passing efficiency, rushing defense and punt return yardage. At the same time, the Greyhounds registered the LSC's highest football team GPA.

 

During his final season in Portales, the Greyhounds went 7-5 and battled Fort Hays State in the Heart of Texas Bowl. Tying for third place in the LSC, the 'Hounds led the league in total offense (473.4 yards per game) and rushing offense (344.6 ypg) while ranking second in passing efficiency (160.5) and rushing defense (105.3 ypg). Three ENMU players were named first-team all-conference with junior Kamal Cass chosen as the LSC's Offensive Back of the Year and also garnering All-American honors.

 

The 'Hounds' bowl trip in 2013 was ENMU's first postseason appearance in 30 years, with the LSC Championship marking the program's first league crown since 1991. Lynn was named the LSC Coach of the Year while also being tabbed as the Region 4 Coach of the Year by two different outlets, he was also the runner up for the Liberty Mutual Division II National Coach of the Year award.

 

Lynn served as a member of the 2016 Division II AFCA Board of Coaches and was the LSC's Chair for head football coaches while also serving as a member of the Super Region 4 ranking committee. He was also integral in the planning and fundraising to get a $15.6 million dollar stadium back on the ENMU’s campus.

 

Prior to returning to Portales, Lynn spent seven years (2005-11) at New Mexico Military Institute. He was head coach in 2011, leading the Broncos to nine wins, a bowl berth and a national ranking of sixth in the NJCAA. Lynn was NMMI's defensive coordinator for four years before becoming assistant head coach and offensive coordinator in 2010. From 2005-09, NMMI was New Mexico's winningest collegiate program. The Broncos took part in the 2009 Salt City Bowl in Hutchinson, Kansas., the program's first postseason appearance in 11 years.

 

He also worked in the defensive secondary and with the outside linebackers at Division II power Delta State (Mississippi) in 2004. Lynn began his coaching career at his alma mater where he was a restricted earnings coach and then a graduate assistant. He worked with the 'Hounds receivers, tight ends and specialists and was recruiting coordinator for nearly two years.

 

In his playing days at ENMU, Lynn was a two-time First Team All-LSC selection at tight end who helped the Greyhounds win back-to-back LSC South Division titles in 1999 and 2000. His teammates also voted him a co-captain twice during his career.

 

Lynn comes from a football-coaching family. His brother, Jeff, is the head coach at Roswell (N.M.) High School and his father, David, is now retired after nearly a 40-year prep career. David is in the New Mexico High School Coaches Association Hall of Honors and is a member of the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame. 

 

Josh Lynn Profile

Hometown: Eunice, New Mexico

High School: Eunice High School

Education: Eastern New Mexico

Bachelor’s in Physical Education, 2002

Master's in Sports Administration, 2004

Wife: Pamela

Children: Bryson, Carly, Levi

 

Playing Career

Eastern New Mexico, 1997-2000

Two-Time First Team All-Lone Star Conference

Back-to-Back LSC South Division Championships (1999, 2000)

Two-Time Team Captain

Coaching Career

2001-2004: Eastern New Mexico

Graduate Assistant/Recruiting Coordinator/Wide Receivers/Tight Ends/Specialists

2004-2005: Delta State

Outside Linebackers/Safeties

2005-2010: New Mexico Military Institute

Defensive Coordinator/Secondary/Linebackers

2010-2011: New Mexico Military Institute

Assistant Head Coach - Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line

2011: New Mexico Military Institute

Head Coach - Offensive & Special Teams Coordinator/Offensive Line

9-3 Overall

2012-2016: Eastern New Mexico

Head Coach - Secondary/Special Teams Coordinator

30-25 Overall

2017-2022: Nebraska-Kearney

Head Coach - Running Backs/Tight Ends/Slot Receivers/Offensive Line

35-25 Overall