Wrestling: Flynn will guide P'burg middle school

One of the biggest questions surrounding the coaching transition at Phillipsburg High School has been answered -- with a familiar face coming back to guide the middle school program.

Former Stateliner wrestler and North Hunterdon coach Tim Flynn is taking over the seventh-eighth grade duties, succeeding Tim Longacre, who is now an assistant on Brad Gentzle's staff at the high school level. 

Flynn was not immediately available for comment.

Tim Flynn, right, is recognized by the program in 2018.

"He's on board and ready to go," Longacre said on Thursday afternoon following the program's annual golf outing. "I couldn't ask for anybody better. We talk about keeping the cohesion together [with the high school coaches]. It's awesome.

"It's an extremely important spot to be in for our town, as far as development."

Flynn, 44, who previously spent 35 years in the sport as a wrestler and coach, stepped down at North Hunterdon after serving as its head coach for eight seasons when he was appointed as the school's vice principal in 2017, a position he still maintains.

"It's what I have wanted to do eventually, the last year or two for sure," Flynn said at that time of taking an administration role shortly after being approved to coach the Lions for the 2017-18 season.

North Hunterdon went 17-6 in the final season under Flynn, whose teams went 118-48 overall, while capturing the North 2, Group 5 title in 2015, the school's 14th sectional championship before winning No. 15 -- the North 2, Group title -- under Chris Hrunka (pictured above with Flynn) in 2020.

Before taking over in 2009-10, Flynn served as former head coach Jason Hawk's top assistant for four seasons. Under their guidance, along with several other highly regarded assistants, North Hunterdon earned statewide respect from opponents and coaches.

Flynn, a former state placewinner for P'burg under coach Rick Thompson (fifth-sixth at 130 pounds in 1994) and a four-year letterwinner at James Madison, enjoyed many memorable moments with North Hunterdon, including winning the Group 3 title in 2002, the school's fourth and last championship. 

Individually, Flynn pointed to coaching two-time state champion Ricky Frondorf, now a youth coach for North, and three-time state placewinner Ryan Pomrinca, the Lions' all-time wins leader (155-13 from 2011-15) and NCAA Tournament qualifier for Lehigh University as career highlights.

"We had some stud teams my first couple of years as an assistant," Flynn said in 2017. "The 2003 team was probably better than '02, but we got beat in the [Group 3 final]. All four Hunterdon County schools winning [sectional titles] in 2015, that was fun."

Flynn still lives in the P'burg sending district with his wife Brooke and their two children, Jack (11) and Lindsey (8). Jack, who is in fifth grade, is a youth wrestler for Lopatcong.