LYNNFIELD — Lynnfield boys tennis coach Joseph Dunn, Sr. has decided to retire.
“I have had the best four years here in Lynnfield,” Dunn said. “Everyone has been so nice, athletic director (Michael Bierwirth) the assistant AD (athletics secretary Morgan DeShaw), and the players have been great. I have really enjoyed the players.
“I think it comes down to my lifestyle has changed,” he said. “My wife and I are possibly making some moves, maybe a winter place in Florida along with downsizing. These kids deserve a coach who can give 100 percent. I’m trying to give them as much as I can, but I think I am slowing down a little. These kids deserve the best. This is going to be a strong team the next few seasons and on, and I believe they need someone who can give them more.”
Dunn single-handedly transformed a dying program into one of the top boys tennis powers in the area.He inherited a team that had won only three matches the previous year. Under Dunn’s guidance, the Pioneers won five matches his first year (2016). In 2017, things began to really gel for the Pioneers. They finished 11-6, won the Cape Ann League Kinney Division title and qualified for the Division 3 North state tournament for the first time since 2014.
It got even better last year. The team ran the table in the regular season, posting a 15-0 record to win a second straight league title. The No. 1 seed in the tournament, Lynnfield came within a couple of points of winning the North championship, dropping a heartbreaking 3-2 decision to defending state champion Weston, which went on to win a second straight title.
Dunn arrived in Lynnfield in the spring of 2016 with an impressive coaching résumé. A certified USPTA instructor, he led the Salem State University women’s team to its best record in program history (13-3) in 2011, its first Little East Conference Championship (2011) and the Vikings’ first appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament (2012). His efforts earned Dunn the 2011 Little East Coach of the Year honors.
He coached the Vikings from 1999-2013 and holds the all-time program record for career wins (99) and career winning percentage (.538).
Dunn also excelled as a player at Salem State. He played four years (1974-1978), collecting four Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) championships (1974-1977) and appearing in two NCAA tournaments (1977-1978)
Dunn leaves Lynnfield having compiled an impressive record of 46-20 (.682).
Dunn says he will continue to follow the team.
“I’m 66 but I still plan to be the team’s No.1 fan next year,” Dunn said.”One of the things I hope I passed on to the kids is a passion for the sport. I love this sport and have been playing since I was 10 years old. If you love what you are doing, you are going to get good at it.”
Dunn said he was fortunate to have the support of the players from the get-go.
“I lucked out starting my first year as I had such super-positive kids,” Dunn said. “Kids like Colin Lamusta, Josh Book and Danny Bronsvayg who had so much enthusiasm. They were the three captains and they felt that regardless of the level of the player, a beginner or advanced, they were willing to work with each other. They had a real fire for the game.
Dunn also said that setting a good example was critical in rejuvenating the program.
“I’ve always believed that I need to make them see that I’m not asking them to do anything that I wouldn’t do myself,” Dunn said. “I want to be on the court doing the exercises, doing the suicides, and hitting the shots with them. I am slowing down a little bit, so it’s harder for me to be able to demonstrate what I am talking about. But it’s been a pleasure coaching them, so much so that I would do it for free.”
