Hynek to return as Cougars head wrestling coach (Updated)

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Welcome back, Dennis Hynek.

After nine years away from being one of Cedar Rapids Kennedy's most successful head wrestling coaches, Hynek is poised to return as the leader of the Cougars. In a phone interview with The Gazette Tuesday afternoon, Kennedy Athletics Director Aaron Stecker confirmed Hynek will be the next wrestling coach, pending board approval.

"We are going to go with Dennis Hynek to fill our head coaching position," Stecker said, "and he has accepted."

Hynek replaces Brent Paulson, who resigned after this last season to spend more time with his family. Paulson, who was an assistant to Hynek, replaced him in 2003. When Paulson stepped down, Hynek started to kick around the idea of returning, and certainly didn't worry about being away from coaching for almost a decade.

"It's one of those deals where time goes by so quick and the next thing you know it's been nine or 10 years later," said Hynek, who told The Gazette at the time of his resignation in 2003 that he might return to coaching. "The opportunity comes up and I thought I'd really enjoy getting back into wrestling again."

The Cougars thrived under Hynek from 1995-2003, placing third in the 2003 state tournament. He also coached Dan Reisner to the 140-pound Class 3A title in 1999. Hynek, a former Cedar Rapids Prairie prep who was a letterman (1988-89) while wrestling at the University of Iowa for legendary coach Dan Gable, guided the Cougars to their first three State Duals appearances (2000, 2001 and 2003), including a fourth-place finish in his final season at the helm.

Hynek finished with a 115-71-1 dual record then. He coached 21 state qualifiers and 17 state placewinners. He has a chance to add to those numbers.

"He approached us interested in the job and was excited about getting back into it," Stecker said.

At the time, Hynek stepped down as head coach after the 2002-03 season to spend more time with his family, including his son who attends Kennedy. His son, David, was a junior linebacker for the football team and also participates in track. His stepson, Gage Farmer, will attend Kennedy next year and plans to wrestle. He said the family supported his return.

They were pretty excited when I told them I thought I would put my name in the hat," Hynek said. "They were pumped for me."

The 43-year-old remained active, helping with wrestling competitions at Kennedy and even serving as color analyst for a wrestling broadcast on KCRG 9.2. He remained a teacher at Kennedy after resigning his post with the wrestling program. He is familiar with many wrestlers and coaches, but his first task is to connect with everyone involved in Cougar wrestling. The spring and summer will have to serve as a transition period for all.

"Brent Paulson has done a great job with the Kennedy program," Hynek said. "The first thing I need to do is build a relationship with the kids and community. I know a lot of them, but not all of them.

"I've got to get to know everybody and get used to everybody's style."

During the interview process, Stecker asked how he evolved to be as successful, if not more, than his previous tenure.

"His energy, excitement and his passion to getting back in to it and using wrestling to build young men," Stecker said. "That's the reason he's been a successful coach, and using his experience as a dad in seeing things from the outside for the last many years that will be a great tool for him to be a better head coach than what he was.

"That's why we've gone his way. We're excited about him."

Hynek is just as excited to be leading the program again. He said there is youth in the ranks and sees the potential for success that Paulson created.

"Right now, I think they have a lot of good kids coming back," Hynek said. "I'm coming into a program that has some tough kids."