West Texas A&M head coach Josh Lynn faces repercussions from three recruiting violations the NCAA categorized as major. The violations occurred between August 2021 and August 2022, when Lynn was head coach at Nebraska-Kearney (UNK). According to a negotiated resolution on January 29, the Committee on Infractions penalized Lynn and two former assistant coaches for the Lopes and UNK.

According to the resolution, WT self-reported an infraction to the NCAA secondary/Level III enforcement staff in the summer of 2023. The Buffs compliance found that Lynn and the coaching staff provided one-way airfare to a prospective student-athlete for an official visit. 

According to NCAA regulations, an official visit must include round-trip travel accommodations to prevent coaches from giving free travel to athletes who otherwise would not have the finances to arrive on campus. Multiple sources say they have observed this violation at other Division II schools outside the Lone Star Conference.

When WT’s compliance office asked Lynn about the violation, the self-report states that he indicated that the university allowed the UNK football staff to purchase one-way airfare for prospective student-athletes without requiring a return home to complete the visit during his tenure. The secondary/Level III staff contacted UNK on September 19, 2023, to inform them of potential violations of NCAA bylaws. One month later, UNK provided the enforcement staff with findings from an internal investigation.

The investigation found that between August 2021 and August 2022, six prospective student-athletes received impermissible benefits from Lynn and two assistant coaches. These included one-way airfare to participate in preseason practices and/or enroll in classes, lodging, and car transportation. The total value of the benefits provided was $1,872.

UNK found the former staff members did not submit official visit paperwork to compliance for any of the six prospective student-athletes. Staff did request approval for two prospective student-athletes to receive hotel lodging upon arrival on campus via email, which was approved with a reminder to send the corresponding official visit paperwork. The coaches never submitted the paperwork. The six student-athletes participated in 32 games over the next two years and received actual and necessary expenses while ineligible. 

The Committee on Infractions (COI) found Lynn “failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance because he was involved in, had knowledge of and approved of then assistant coaches 1 and 2 arranging for cost-free airfare.”

As part of the self-report by WT, Lynn was suspended for one game, which he served against Angelo State in the Buffs season finale. However, Lynn and both assistant coaches received a two-year show-cause, among other penalties.

Lynn’s two-year show-cause began on January 29, 2025, and continues through January 28, 2027, and he must attend the 2025 or 2026 NCAA Regional Rules Seminar at his own expense. He is not allowed to participate in recruiting communication, including phone calls, text messages, and any correspondence in the football program for six weeks during the show-cause period. Lynn will serve that punishment from February 9 through February 22, March 9 through March 15, June 19 through July 5, and August 10 through August 23 this year.

“In regards to the recent NCAA investigation, I take full responsibility as a head coach for the violations that occurred under my watch,” Lynn said in a statement provided to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. “To be clear, the NCAA ruled that violations did occur; however, no unethical conduct rules were broken. Moving forward, I will adhere to the consequences of the ruling and continue to abide by NCAA rules, as my programs and I have always tried to do. I will have no further comment on this matter.”

For their role, UNK received probation for two years, vacated all team and individual records over the course of the two-year period in which the ineligible players competed in games, a 3,744 fine, and a reduction in official paid visits to 83 for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic years.

“We accept responsibility for the mistakes made within our program. Compliance with NCAA rules is a cornerstone of our athletic department, and we are committed to ensuring our student-athletes and staff uphold the highest standards of integrity,” UNK Director of Athletics Marc Bauer said in a statement. “While this situation is disappointing, it provides an opportunity to reflect and grow. Although this impacts our current staff and team, it does not reflect their mission or the values they represent as leaders. We have already implemented additional training and oversight to prevent future violations.

“UNK Athletics is participating in the NCAA Blueprint Review Program, a comprehensive audit of our policies and procedures, to be completed in January 2025. We have also partnered with Teamworks Compliance and Communication Hub – an MIAA-endorsed platform – to improve oversight and documentation, with training for coaches and staff already underway.”