After graduation from Holy Cross, John Lynch was named the school’s third head football coach in 1926, and remained through 1932, with an overall record of 24-24-3. He went on to help form the Louisiana High School Officials Association in 1935. He was head referee of the Holy Cross vs. Jesuit game in 1940, where a record-setting crowd of 34,000 attended. At the college level, he became the top-ranking referee in the Southeastern Conference and remained so until he retired in 1962. He served as president and vice-president of the Southeastern Football Officials in 1953 and was Chief Referee in 1953, and conducted rules clinics for referees. He had the distinction of being the only referee to officiate in all four major bowl games (Sugar, Rose, Orange, Cotton). Throughout his life, Johnny devoted countless hours to supporting Holy Cross School. As head of the Development Committee, Johnny was instrumental in raising funds for additions to the educational and athletic facilities and new brothers’ residence. For his untiring contributions to the welfare of his high school Alma Mater, Johnny was chosen as a recipient of the Holy Cross Man of the Year Award in 1967. Johnny was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1975.

Holy Cross Accolades:
• Captain and All-Prep Center on the 1925 football team
• Head football coach and Athletic Director, 1926-1932
• Head referee of the Holy Cross vs. Jesuit game 1940
• Served as Chair of the Development Committee and Holy Cross Foundation