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Longtime Davenport West coach gets his Ring of Honor

Paul Flynn spent nearly 40 years coaching at Davenport schools, including being named the MAC Conference Coach of the Year in 1994.

DAVENPORT, Iowa — A Davenport coach is being honored with a permanent spot at Brady Street Stadium. 

Paul Flynn started coaching in 1972, leading several teams to state championships, but his former students say his impact went far beyond the field.

Davenport alumni packed the library at West High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10. They all came to celebrate one man who has dedicated his career to Davenport Schools.

"Nobody was kinder to me, nobody was more like a dad to me than Paul Flynn," West High School Principal Cory Williams said.

Flynn received the Ring of Honor award, which celebrates Davenport's most accomplished coaches. He'll have a plaque displayed at Brady Street Stadium.

"This is a long time coming, my dad has been a mentor to many, mainly to me, over many many years," Flynn's son Jon said. "Impacted so many lives, and he just means so much to so many people."

Jon also became a football coach and currently works as an instructional leadership director for the district.

"I can remember countless hours in the weight room with Dad, and all I wanted to do was be with him and be like him," Jon said. "So there was no question I was going to be an educator. There was no question that I wanted to coach."

Former student O.J. Payne also followed in Flynn's footsteps.

"Watching him and the staff work together helped me become the better coach I am today," Payne said.

Payne played varsity football at West High School for four years, going on to become a Hawkeye. He said Flynn's care stuck with him.

"In my last time over at Brady Street Stadium, him coming up and giving me a hug, and giving me the head nod, 'You did good,'" Payne said.

Flynn said it was a humbling experience joining legendary Davenport coaches in the Ring of Honor.

"I have no regrets at all about being here," Flynn said of his time in the district.

He offered advice to anyone else who wants to become a coach.

"First of all I think it helps to be a teacher," Flynn said. "But if that’s what you wanna do, don’t listen to other people, do what's in your heart, and you’ll be fine and you’ll be happy."

Flynn and his son aren't the only ones in the family who have served Davenport Schools. His granddaughter is an elementary school teacher, and his younger granddaughter is going into teaching as well.

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