Josh Lynn

Josh Lynn is an American football coach and former player. Josh Lynn was named the 18th head football coach in Nebraska-Kearney history on January 4, 2017. After leading the Loper backs, cruisers (tight ends) and slot receivers, he now coaches the offensive line.

He is a native of Eunice, N.M., and an Eastern New Mexico University graduate. Over a five-year period (2012-16), Lynn helped turn his alma mater around, leading the Greyhounds to 27 wins, two C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl appearances and a share of the 2013 Lone Star Conference (LSC) title.

In 10 years as a collegiate head coach Lynn has a 56-47 record (19-19 at UNK). Throughout his 19-year coaching career, Lynn has coordinated both sides of the ball and coached every position except the defensive line.

The Lynn era at UNK started with a bang as the Lopers beat Missouri Western, 14-3, in the 2017 season-opener. It marked UNK's first August/September win since joining the MIAA in 2012. Kearney went on to beat Northeastern State, 42-27, and Missouri Southern, 16-6, while battling two-time defending national champion and No.1 NW Missouri before falling, 13-0.

On the year the Lopers were among the MIAA leaders in total defense, rushing defense, fourth down conversion rate and fewest sacks allowed. Seven Lopers were named to the all-league team with 35 making the MIAA Academic Honor Roll and one tabbed Academic All-District.

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, going for 30 touchdowns and 269 yards per game. The defense was stingy once again with the Lopers playing eight games decided by 14 points or less. 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 NW Missouri, 24-17, as part of a three-game win streak and toppled Winona (Minn.) State, 50-33, in the Mineral Water Bowl. That December game marked UNK’s fourth-ever postseason victory. Fourteen Lopers were named All-MIAA with QB TJ Davis selected as the league’s top freshmen. Senior ILB Sal Silvio (325 career tackles) was again named All-Region with senior left guard Josh Stoltenberg chosen as an honorable mention All-American. Finally, senior defensive end Hinwa Allieu signed with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons after earning first-team All-MIAA honors and was part of The Spring League in 2021. Among the national leaders in a slew of offensive categories, set new UNK standards for rushing yards (4,115) and rushing TD’s (45) in a single season. The Lopers had two 1,000-yard rushers for the first time in the program’s 113-year history with the team having 44 MIAA Academic Honor Roll qualifiers.

The 2020 season was canceled by the pandemic but UNK was one of a handful of D2 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 D2 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. Prior to his return Portales, the ‘Hounds had not had a winning season since 2004. They recorded four straight winning campaigns and were tabbed as the top collegiate program in New Mexico (all levels) in 2015 by HERO Sports. In 2016, ENMU went 7-5 and battled Fort Hays in the Heart of Texas Bowl. Tying for third place in the LSC, the ‘Hounds led the league in total offense and rushing offense while ranking second in passing efficiency and rushing defense. The bowl trip marked ENMU’s first postseason appearance in 30 years with the LSC title the program’s first crown since 1991. Subsequently, Lynn was named the LSC Coach and Region 4 of the Year and was runner up for the Liberty Mutual National Division II Coach of the Year award. ENMU set numerous school records in the Lynn era 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 Greyounds had the LSC’s highest football team GPA.

Before returning to his alma mater, Lynn spent seven years (2005-11) at New Mexico Military Institute. He was head coach in 2011, leading the Broncos to a 9-3 mark, a bowl berth and a national ranking of sixth in the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Assoc.). Working alongside his brother, Jeff, Lynn was 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, the program’s first postseason appearance in 11 years. He also worked in the defensive secondary and with the outside linebackers at D2 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 receivers, tight ends and specialists and was recruiting coordinator. In his playing days, Lynn was a two-time first-team all-conference tight end who helped ENMU win back-to-back LSC South Division titles. He also was a two-time team co-captain. Holding a B.S. in Physical Education and a Master’s in Sports Administration from ENMU, Lynn comes from a football-coaching family. His brother, Jeff, is head coach at Roswell (N.M.) High School and his father, David, is now retired after nearly a 40-year prep career. He 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.