Tom Flynn has been hired as Galena High's new baseball coach, Grizzlies athletic director Teresa Burrows announced on Tuesday night.
Flynn comes to Galena with college experience, having served as head coach at two Division III schools, Sewanee in Tennessee and Wabash in Indiana. Flynn served as Wabash's head coach from 2001-2006.
"We felt he was the best fit for Galena High School with his baseball knowledge and the experience he's had."
Flynn replaces Gare McNamara, who stepped down to become a volunteer coach at the University of Nevada. McNamara was Galena's coach from 2002-2007 and during that time led the Grizzlies to the NIAA 4A State Tournament three times (2003, 2006, 2007).
He also led Galena to the Northern 4A titles in 2006 and 2007, a Northern 4A runner-up finish in 2005, a state third place finish in 2003 and a state runner-up finish in 2007.
Burrows said the school knew "to replace Gary would be tough. We wanted somebody just as qualified. He (Flynn) fits the bill."
Like McNamara, Burrows said, Flynn stresses teaching the game of baseball and playing the game the right way. Burrows said Flynn meets the qualification for all the school's coaches "to be great teachers on the field."