West Texas A&M University Men's Football

Josh Lynn is in his third 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. The Eunice, New Mexico native has registered an overall career record of 81-65 over 14 seasons as a head coach. Lynn holds a 8-13 mark during his two campaigns on the sidelines for the Buffaloes. 2024 saw the Buffs finish 5-6 overall with a 5-4 mark in Lone Star Conference action. Eight Buffs earned All-LSC accolades with Zorian Stanton being named the league’s Newcomer of the Year. The 2023 campaign saw the Buffaloes finish 3-7 during Lynn’s first season at the helm. Jimmy Harrison was tabbed the LSC Newcomer of the Year with seven other Buffs earning All-Conference honors. Lynn, widely regarded as one of the nation’s up-and-coming head coaches, came 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 during his final campaign in 2022 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 2023-Present: West Texas A&M Head Coach - Offensive Line 8-13 Overall

Bleil came to Canyon in February of 2026, following two seasons as the Offensive Coordinator at Pittsburg State. The 2024 campaign saw the Gorillas average 357.1 yards of offense per game with 223.0 yards coming thru the air to rank 47th nationally as PSU went 8-3 overall with an appearance in the NCAA Playoffs.   The Gorillas went 10-3 last season to capture a share of the 2025 MIAA Championship, making their fourth straight trip to the NCAA Playoffs. Pitt State averaged 394.6 yards of offense per game, ranking 56th nationally, as they averaged 29.2 points per contest.   Bleil started his collegiate coaching career as a student assistant at Akron followed by time as a graduate assistant at Central Missouri (2010-11) and Iowa State (2012). At ISU, Bleil worked alongside his father, Bill, who served as the Cyclones assistant head coach and offensive line coach as the Cyclones earned a berth in the 2012 Liberty Bowl.   Coach Bleil spent two seasons as the wide receiver coach at East Texas A&M (2013-14) where the Lions lead NCAA Division II in six offensive categories in 2014, including scoring offense (54.4 ppg) and total offense (535.4 ypg).    He then joined Lynn's staff at Nebraska-Kearney in 2015 as the quarterback coach, being promoted to Co-Offensive Coordinator and Passing Game Coordinator. Every major offensive number for UNK improved from 2015 to 2016. Despite a young set of skill position players, the Lopers went over 40 points in two different games and had five offensive players named All-MIAA.     Bleil made the move to Nacogdoches, Texas in 2018 as he served as the inside wide receivers coach at Stephen F. Austin for five seasons. He helped the Lumberjacks to an 8-4 record and a berth in the NCAA FCS playoffs in 2021. During his tenure at SFA, Bleil coached three-time All-America & two-time WAC Offensive Player of the Year Xavier Gipson (New York Jets).   The Uniontown, Ohio native played collegiate baseball at the University of Akron, earning a bachelor's of science degree in civil engineering from the school in May 2010. Kevin and his wife, Stephanie, have three daughters: Braelyn, Adley and Kensie.

Russell comes to WT with Coach Lynn following four seasons at the University of Nebraska-Kearney where he worked with safeties, cornerbacks and outside receivers while also aided the return game in special teams.   In the 2022 season, Russell was part of a defensive unit that only allowed 18.7 points in the MIAA with the cornerback unit only giving up three touchdowns. Veteran cornerback Gabriel Amegatcher earned Second Team All-MIAA honors after having 25 tackles (18 solo) and eight pass breakups. The total tied for the team lead. Next, fellow veterans Jaylen Perkins Sr. and Armani Webster combined for four more PBU's and 37 tackles with this trio accounting for one interception. Their play helped UNK lead the MIAA in pass defense efficiency (106.5) and rank second in opponent pass completion percentage (.544).    In 2021 Russell was apart of a Loper team that ended the season 10-3 with an exit in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Division 2 football playoffs. The defensive unit with Russell at the helm of the cornerback position ranked second in Defensive Pass Efficiency with 124.6 yards per game. Prior to the 2021 fall, Russell coached the outside receivers in the 2021 spring.   The Loper secondary amassed seven interceptions, 31 pass breakups and 290 tackles in 2019. UNK went 7-5 and won the Mineral Water Bowl, the program's fourth-ever postseason victory.   Before entering the college ranks Russell coached in high school at his alma mater, Traverse City West, on the Varsity level as an assistant coach and as a freshmen head coach after being a hurdler on the Central Michigan track and field team. Also prior to his time at UNK, Russell worked for the Legacy Football Organization in Detroit as a quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator for the 7v7 Legacy Football League.   Walking on to the Chippewas track and field team in 2011, Russell turned in top times of 8.71 (60 hurdles), 15.64 (110 hurdles) and 53.21 (400 hurdles) over the next two years. He then focused on football, joining the semi-professional Traverse City Wolves of the Great Lakes Football League during the summer months. He was named to the 2013 All-League team as a defensive back after having seven interceptions, three coming back for scores, 10 PBUs and 15 tackles.   A Michigan native, Russell graduated from Central Michigan University in 2016 with a B.A. in Sports Management. He holds a Master in Physical Education from UNK.

Justin Richter is in his third season on staff for the Buffaloes as he was promoted to Defensive Coordinator on January 15, 2025. Richter previously served as the Co-Special Teams Coordinator for the Buffaloes. Richter was named to the Dave Campbell's Texas Football 40-Under-40 List in the summer of 2025. Richter returned to Canyon in 2023 following six seasons at Missouri Western State where he worked with the team’s defensive backs while serving as the Defensive Coordinator since 2018. The 2021 campaign saw the Griffons allow just 11 touchdowns on the ground while forcing 21 total turnovers (13 interceptions, eight fumbles).    The Truth or Consequences, New Mexico native is no stranger to the Texas Panhandle as he spent the 2015 season at WT working with wide receivers. Richter also has coaching stops at UC-Berkeley, New Mexico, Angelo State and New Mexico Military Institute. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from University of Saint Mary (Kanas).  

Shayne Shade enters his third season on staff for the Buffaloes, making the move to Defensive Line in the Summer of 2025 while also being promoted to Assistant Head Coach. Shade previously worked with WT's Running Backs and Tight Ends for two seasons. He came to Canyon following eight seasons at Nebraska-Kearney where he served as the Recruiting Coordinator while working with multiple positions including the inside receivers, running backs and tight ends since 2020. Shade coached 11 different All-Conference honorees during his time in Kearney. The Des Moines, Iowa native starred along the Northwest Missouri defensive line between 2007-10. Shade then remained in Maryville for four years. He was a graduate assistant coach from 2011-13 and continued to help the Bearcat defensive line in 2014. In his time as a GA, Shade coached five all-conference players as well as an All-American and he was a part of the 2013 squad that went 15-0 and won the NCAA Division II National Championship.   As a student-athlete for the Bearcats, Shade was a two-time All-MIAA defensive tackle who also earned All-Region honors as a junior in 2009. Part of four MIAA Championship teams, he helped Northwest finish as National Runner-Up in 2007 and 2008 while claiming the 2009 National Title. Shade and his wife, Michelle, have five children: Richelle, Kayden, Piper, Olive, and Marcus.