When finding an assistant coach I wanted a runner, able to work six days a week with very little pay, long hours, and no benefits. It was hardly an ad for the average person, but to a runner it actually sounds pretty cool. Over the summer I have had a few people interested in the assistant coaching job at STM, but none of them ended up working out. I was officiating a University of Illinois football practice when an email popped up on my iphone. "Assistant coaching job inquiry, Ryan Lynn". The Ryan Lynn? I had a half hour of practice before I could look at the email. During a break in play I peaked. Sure enough, Ryan Lynn, the Illini All American, IHSA 3A 800 meter champion. Wow. He had sent a cover letter and a resume.
"Hello my name is Ryan Lynn and I saw that you are searching for an assistant boys and girls cross country and track coach for the 2013-14 year. I have run track for the past twelve years. I was the 2009 3A 800m state champ in high school. I ran track for the University of Illinois where I was captain of the team my senior year and earned All-American honors while there."
I have been watching Ryan run at Illinois for the past four years and saw him win the 800 at state in 2009. I thought it was funny that he was being so formal, a resume and everything. I responded to his email "call me", gave him my number and finished the rest of practice. When practice was over I was talking with the other official telling him about the email. He was not nearly as excited as I was. There was actually a picture of that conversation in the local paper the following day. The picture looks like we are talking football, but it was all running and cross country. The Illini news conference was over a couple reporters camp over to me and started to interview me about Cross country and being a football official. I thought that was kind of funny.
Later that day my phone rang and I saw it was a university number so I thought it might be Ryan calling. It was someone from the University of Illinois who had worked with Ryan and was calling to recommend him as an employee. Telling me he is very reliable and punctual etc. My response was, "have Ryan give me a call".
Ryan finally called and we talked about the job. Luckily he had taken a coaching class at Illinois and had his coaching certification. I thought it would be a great idea for him to meet my former runners. That evening we were having our biannual "Alumni Banquet". This is where all of my former athletes get together before school starts at BW3's and talk about old times and see each other one last time. Ryan showed up and met everyone and we all had a very nice time.
Ryan Lynn is the new Assistant Cross Country and Track coach at The High School of St. Thomas More. We are all very excited about what he brings to the program. The runners are so lucky to have such a great runner and such a wonderful person to coach them.