Tom Flynn enters his seventh season at Lewis & Clark after being named head coach in May 2010. Flynn is the 10th coach in the program's 63-year history. Before coming to Palatine Hill, Flynn served as the head coach at Wabash College (Ind.) where he led the Little Giants to 101 wins over six seasons, which ranked second in school history. Flynn resigned following the 2017 season.
Flynn has become well regarded in coaching circles as a strong program builder, helping three different teams build strong foundations, through a commitment to hard work, player development and team chemistry.
During his time at Lewis & Clark, Flynn has seen sizable improvements to the team GPA, while doubling the roster. Flynn’s teams have been extremely active on campus and in the community, helping with such events as Cure Search Walk and March of Dimes.
One of the only coaches in the country to lead three different NCAA Division III programs, Flynn’s teams have improved their win-loss records in 11 of his 15 seasons as a head coach.
Flynn’s reputation for program development can be seen throughout the landscape of college baseball, as five of Flynn’s former players and coaches have gone on to become head coaches.
Prior to Lewis & Clark, Flynn guided Wabash to its first winning season after entering the highly competitive North Coast Athletic Conference and helping set the stage for Wabash’s first conference title in 2009. He became the first full-time head baseball coach in Wabash history in 2001 and quickly expanded the program’s recruiting pool, taking the Indiana-based program from an all in-state roster to over 50 percent of the team being comprised of out-of-state players in 2005. After two seasons at the helm, Flynn led Wabash to the third-best record in school history after posting a 10-6 conference record.
During his time at Wabash, Flynn worked closely with the admissions office, earning a spot as a featured speaker in several "Wabash on the Road" programs and in Wabash's Campaign for Leadership video. Flynn also hosted the Wabash College Baseball Camp for youth players during the summer from 2000-06.
His first college head coaching job came in 1998 at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., where he inherited a team with the lowest winning percentage in NCAA Div. III in 1997 and quickly made the Tigers competitive before taking over Wabash in 2001.
Coach Flynn played for NCAA Division III legend Tim Pettorini, leading the College of Wooster in doubles, triples and stolen bases, en route to the NCAA Div. III World Series in 1989. His teams won three NCAC titles and Flynn set the team record for stolen bases (25) in 1989. He was a three-time All-NCAC team selection (1989-91), while being selected to the All-Mideast Region team in 1989 and 1991. He later served as an assistant coach under Pettorini at Wooster from 1991-92.
Flynn also has a strong background in strength and conditioning, working as a fitness specialist for two years at the Saint Mary's Center for Health and Fitness in Reno, Nev. During his time there, Flynn worked with individuals of all fitness levels, including those with special needs.
Tom Flynn at a glance
Coaching Experience
Lewis & Clark, Head Coach, 2010 – 2017
Wabash College, Head Coach, 2000-06
University of the South, Head Coach, 1997-2000
Christ Church Episcopal High School, Head Coach, 1993-97
College of Wooster, Assistant Coach, 1991-92
Education
College of Wooster, B.A. English, 1991
Furman University, M.A. Education, emphasis in Exercise Science, 1996
