Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
KEARNEY, Neb. — Former Eastern New Mexico University football coach Josh Lynn was hired on Wednesday to the same position at Division II Nebraska-Kearney.
Lynn replaces Josh Lamberson, who led the Lopers the past two seasons. Lynn becomes just the fifth head coach at UNK since 1955.
“What I am excited about is the passion of the current athletic administration to continue to build a program for this university and community,” Lynn said. “I’m committed to ensuring our student-athletes are successful on the field, in the classroom and in the community. My family and I are excited to be a part of the UNK Loper family.”
UNK director of athletics Paul Pinske chose Lynn following a search that began in late December.
The Lopers have gone a combined 10-45 over the past five seasons, going 0-11 and 1-10 in the past two seasons. In those five years, UNK hasn’t won more than three games in a season.
Over the past five seasons, 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 title.
In six years as a collegiate head coach, Lynn has a 37-27 record.
Prior to his return to Portales, the Greyhounds had not had a winning season since 2004. They now have recorded four consecutive .500-or-better campaigns, and were tabbed as the top collegiate program in New Mexico (all levels) in 2015 by HERO Sports.
ENMU went 7-5 last season and battled MIAA-member Fort Hays State in the Heart of Texas Bowl. Tying for third place in the LSC, Eastern 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).
Their trip to the LSC playoffs in 2013 marked the Hounds’ first postseason appearance in 30 years, with the LSC co-championship its conference title since 1991. Subsequently, Lynn was named the LSC coach of the year, was selected the Region 4 coach of the year by two different outlets and was runnerup for the Liberty Mutual National Division II Coach of the Year award.
Over the past four seasons, the Hounds have 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, ENMU has had the LSC’s highest football team GPA.
“Josh is a proven winner at the NCAA Division II level,” Pinske said. “Not only is he an excellent coach, but he is resourceful and understands how to make the most of any situation.
“Above all, he is a player’s coach and will sustain our strong Loper family culture. He is the best hire for today and an even better hire for the future of Loper football. He will do great things at UNK.”
Lynn is a member of the Division II 2016 American Football Coaches Association Board of Coaches and was the LSC’s chair for head football coaches. A member of the Super Region 4 ranking committee, he was instrumental in the planning and fund-raising to get the $15.6 million dollar stadium back on the ENMU campus.
