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.Â
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.Â
In 11 years as a NCAA collegiate head coach, Lynn has a 65-50 record (35-25 at UNK). Throughout his 21-year coaching career, he 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.Â
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.Â
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 37Â 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 13Â unbeaten teams in D2 for the 2020-21 fall/spring season. More importantly, the team posted a 3.04Â cumulative GPA for the year, a rise of a half point since Lynn's arrival.Â
In 2021 saw the Lopers continue "The Rise" as it went 10-3 (9-2 MIAA) and reached the the second round of the NCAA Playoffs. The third double digit winning season in school history, UNK was regionally and nationally ranked throughout the year and saw Davis finish as the Harlon Hill Trophy Runner Up. He also was tabbed the MIAA Offensive Player of the Year after being one of only three NCAA QB's to throw for 2k and run for 1k yards. Thirteen others were named All-MIAA with Davis, safety Darius Swanson and right tackle Corey Hoelck tabbed as All-Americans.Â
This past year saw UNK go 8-3 and be nationally and regionally ranked. Davis was an All-American and Harlon Hill Trophy finalist again, the Lopers went 5-0 on the road and were again among the nation's top rushing teams. Fifteen Loper made the All-MIAA team with Davis repeating as Offensive Player of the Year. Off the field, the team had eight Academic All-District qualifiers and 37 Academic All-Conference qualifiers.Â
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.Â
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. 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.
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. He also worked in the defensive secondary and with the outside linebackers at D2 power Delta State (Mississippi) in 2004.
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.Â
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.Â
Lynn is married to the former Pamela Zens, herself a volleyball standout at Division I Hofstra (N.Y.) University. They have three children in Bryson, Carly and Levi. Â
GETTING TO KNOW JOSH LYNN
Coaching Experience
- Eastern New Mexico University (Portales, N.M.), Head Coach/Secondary/Special Teams Coordinator (January 2012-December 2016) … record of 30-25 (27-25 by NCAA standards; three wins vacated in 2012)
- New Mexico Military Institute (Roswell, N.M.), Head Coach/Offensive & Special Teams Coordinator/Offensive Line (Spring 2011-Fall 2011) … record of 9-3
- New Mexico Military Institute, Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line (Spring 2010-Spring 2011)
- New Mexico Military Institute, Defensive Coordinator/Secondary/Linebackers (Spring 2005-Spring 2010)
- Delta State University (Cleveland, Miss.), Assistant Coach/Outside Linebackers & Safeties (Summer 2004-Spring 2005)
- Eastern New Mexico University, Graduate Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator/Wide Receivers/Tight Ends/Specialists (August 2002-May 2004)
- Eastern New Mexico University, Assistant Coach-Restricted Earnings/Wide Receivers/Tight Ends/Specialists (Spring 2001-May 2002)
