Cedar Rapids Kennedy Coach Dennis Hynek recovers from heart surgery

CEDAR RAPIDS - Dennis Hynek has poured his heart and soul into the Cedar Rapids Kennedy program over the years.

Interestingly, it's his heart that has kept him apart from the Cougars.

Hynek underwent open-heart surgery at the end of November and has continued recovery while a capable group of assistants have shared the role of leading the team. He remains at home, recuperating from the procedure with hopes of returning to teaching and restricted coaching duties as early as next month.

Hynek said he is getting better every day.

'It's pretty amazing,” Hynek said. 'You have good days and not-so good days. I'd say, overall, it's been an upswing every single day. I just have to remember it's only been two weeks and one day since I had the surgery. I have to keep that in mind.”

Hynek's ordeal began in mid-October. He began to feel ill the morning after watching the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers in a playoff game on television. A virus was making the rounds and shortly caused Hynek's temperature to spike at 104.

Hynek's wife, Robin, who has experience as a cardiac nurse, suggested a trip to the emergency room. When his symptoms didn't improve immediately, Hynek experienced more examinations to pinpoint the problem.

'They did all kinds of tests,” Hynek said. 'They did a spinal tap, which hurt like a son of a gun, and checked my heart. All kinds of things.”

They identified the virus, which cleared. The shock came from what medical staff discovered.

'They came back and said you've had a heart attack at some point in time,” Hynek said. 'I said that's news to me.”

Hynek has worked out, admitting it wasn't on a regular basis. He has gotten on the mat with his wrestlers. His wife recalled how he helped fill and throw sandbags, helping with flood preparation during the summer. Now, he was learned he had suffered a heart attack within the last six to 12 months.

'If he had any symptoms, they were very gradual,” Robin Hynek said. 'They don't know when he had the heart attack.”

The situation was very serious. The left main coronary artery was completely blocked, which has caused serious attacks referred to as the 'Widowmaker.” Hynek said he was told he began growing collateral veins. He also learned the bottom left side of his heart was dormant.

'It's like running a car on a 9-volt battery,” the 48-year-old Hynek said. 'It's working, but I used to hate going up stairs and things like that.

'I tried to get in pretty good shape, so I couldn't quite figure out what was going on.”

Kennedy assistant wrestling coach Craig Mallicoat received word from Robin Hynek. Mallicoat teaches anatomy and physiology and realized the severity of the situation.

'First of all, we're lucky,” Mallicoat said. 'He shouldn't be here. My first thought was like, 'Wow” and how close we came to losing not just a coach but a friend.”

Hynek informed the coaches, wrestlers and parents about the situation. He helped assistants with some early practices plans and stopped by a couple practices to talk to everyone. Hynek, in his fifth season of his second tenure leading the Cougars, was determined to surround himself with top coaches when he had assembled the current staff, consisting of Mallicoat, Nick LeClere, Kyle Blood, Matt Ironside, Jason Long and Jim Henderson.

They have all assumed some of his responsibilities.

'With all the coaches, we're lucky we have common philosophies and goals,” said Hynek, who praised Athletics Director Aaron Stecker and Principal Jason Kline for their support. 'We have similar approaches to how we do stuff, even though we have different strengths.

'We're all on the same page for what we're doing with the kids and how we're approaching the season. It's been awesome.”

Hynek said he was confident in turning things over to his staff and that they have been exceptional in their coaching by committee. He praised them for their efforts.

'We don't have our own agendas,” Mallicoat said. 'It's focused on making the kids better. The easiest part of this is working with everybody.”

Hynek took medical leave about Oct. 17 and had successful bypass surgery at University of Iowa Hospitals on Nov. 29. He spent six days at the hospital and then was released.

Now, he is home with pillows and pets to comfort him. He cannot drive yet but he has made strides in his rehab, using a treadmill for 40-minute sessions three times a day. Hynek has been a well-behaved patient at home.

'He's getting stronger,” Robin Hynek said. 'He has more stamina every day so that's good.

With everything he has been through, and never been hospitalized or sick, he's been good.”

The Cougars began competition during his stay, but that didn't prevent Hynek from witnessing their opening dual victory against Cedar Rapids Jefferson. He viewed the dual via the mobile application Periscope thanks to one of the wrestler's parents.

'Even though he's tired, he really perks up when he is able to watch the kids,” Robin Hynek said. 'It was fun.”

He even attended the Five Seasons Invitational that the host Cougars eventually won. Robin Hynek was also in the hospital room with her husband for the Cougars dual. She was there, like she has this whole time, taking care of him.

'She has been absolutely wonderful,” Hynek said. 'Every few minutes my pocket would buzz with (messages) ‘Hey, you might want to sit down' and that type of thing.”

Hynek's inability to stay away completely isn't a shock. He returned to coach after nine years away from the Cougars. His first stint as head coach was 1995-2003 before he stepped away to spend more time with family.

'It's not just about him having the surgery and coming back,” Mallicoat said. 'It started years ago, so it doesn't surprise us at all that he wants to be a part of it.”

The wrestlers have expressed their happiness with Hynek's possible return. He is well-liked and respected by them. Some Cougars remained in contact with him.

'It's been nice,” Hynek said. 'There have been a few of them who have been texting me and checking on me. That always makes you feel pretty good.”

Hynek is determined to make it back to the room this season, even though he might have to wait a year before he is cleared to roll around with the wrestlers again. He is looking forward to offer his verbal instruction, but until then he will be cheerleader.

'Until I come back in January, I am the No. 1 Cougar fan,” Hynek said. 'I'm sitting back for a little bit.”

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