Recently, we learned that Coach Jim Lynch has decided to retire from his career as a teacher and football coach, so we decided to honor him with this special tribute.
Coach Lynch has been coaching since 1994, working mainly in North Florida. He played quarterback in high school, thus he specializes on the offensive side of the game. Coach Lynch first started at Orlando Christian Prep after he learned that his former high school coach, Coach Scroggins, was retiring, leaving an offensive coordinator vacancy. He first worked as a running backs coach for two years, before becoming the full-time offensive coordinator. He continued to run the "wing T" offense that has been used here at OCP since Coach D began. His favorite play to run while at OCP was “tiger rip” which has become a very famous play here -- responsible for dozens of scores in dozens of games.
During his 4+ years at OCP, Coach Lynch enjoyed his time molding students and athletes, helping to have a positive impact on their lives through both coaching and monitoring the FLVS lab. He says his biggest accomplishment while here was winning the state championship... in fact, this was one of the biggest accomplishments of his coaching career. Having coached since 1994, Coach Lynch clearly a seasoned veteran of the game of football. As such, he felt that it was time to let a new, hungrier coach have an opportunity at the helm. Winning the state championship allowed him to feel that he had accomplished all he needed to in coaching and was ready for his next chapter.
OCPs football players had a lot to say about Coach Lynch. Jacob Brommer commented, "Man, I love Coach Lynch. He’s one of my favorite coaches I've had in all my years of playing football. If it was my choice, he wouldn’t retire. I’m gonna miss him, but I’m also really excited to see who steps in to take his place.” Carlos Tavarez said, “I’m gonna miss the bald head!" (This was a nickname for Coach Lynch.) "He was great but I'm gonna join him soon in retirement. I’m gonna have to run a "tiger rip" just for him. See you later Lynch! Peace and love!”
Coach Lynch will now spend his days in sunny Port Orange, Florida, enjoying time with his wife while getting some rays at the pool and fishing in the Intracoastal right outside his backyard. The mark he left at OCP will impact many students for many years, especially this year's players, who he brought the best out! He definitely finished his last chapter of coaching on his own terms: on top as State Champions!
