STORY BY MICHAEL WENDLANDT
There will be a new, yet familiar, face patrolling the sidelines at Drake Stadium this coming football season. All-Conference Offensive Tackle Steve Flynn will return to Drake to coach the position he excelled at for three years as a Bulldog.
Steve Flynn, a starting left tackle from 2009-2011, has returned to Drake to coach the tackles and help the receivers and tight ends with blocking.
Earning All-Conference status in the Pioneer Football League in 2010 and 2011, Flynn has prior experience and knowledge in what it takes to win in this conference.
“I would bring a get-it-done attitude to the field,” Flynn said. “I was a guy who knew the Xs and Os to get the job done and would find ways to make it happen.”
For Flynn, it has been a quick ascent through the ranks. After graduating from Drake in 2011, he spent a season as an intern for Montana State University. Flynn then worked for two years at Wabash College as the assistant offensive line and tight ends coach.
Flynn was pleasantly surprised to be back at Drake only three years after he left.
“I was surprised and honored that Coach Fox thought enough of me to offer me the job after only three years,” Flynn said.
For Coach Fox and this class of fifth-year seniors, Flynn is a familiar face. Fox was an assistant coach during Flynn’s final years as a player and the fifth-years were redshirt freshmen when Flynn was a senior tackle. While this is the first time that they’re working together as colleagues, Fox and Flynn are closer than the average coaches.
“He knows all my idiosyncrasies and hopefully he can translate that to the other guys,” Fox said. “We know each other really well. We’ve been through good times and hard times with this team. Our relationship goes deeper than fellow coaches.”
Flynn doesn’t quite have his goals set for the season, but he knows that he wants to help this offensive line be the best it can be, especially in pass protection.
“I’m thinking of setting goals for pressures and sacks given up. Start it with a larger number at the beginning of the year and then lower it as the season goes on,” Flynn explained.
Drake’s team holds a lot of promise, with some key players returning, especially on offense, and Flynn can’t wait to see them play in person.
“I’m excited to see what this Drake team is all about,” Flynn said. “I want to see what these guys bring to the table once the season starts. When push comes to shove, I want to see what they’re like on the field.”
Steve Flynn suited up for the first time as a Bulldog for their spring game on April 18. However, suiting up now now means that a headset and a Drake Athletics polo have replaced a helmet and shoulder pads.
