JOE DUNN (pictured far right) is retiring as head coach of the LHS boys’ tennis team after nine seasons. Dunn had an overall record of 135-33, led the Pioneers to the state finals the last four consecutive seasons and the CAL Kinney Division title for the last six seasons. (File Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — After coaching the Lynnfield High boys’ tennis team the past nine seasons, head coach Joe Dunn is retiring.
Dunn has had a fantastic run with the Pioneers going 135-33 overall and was 87-18 in the Cape Ann League.
Under Dunn, the team won six-straight CAL Kinney Division titles from 2018-2024 (there was no 2020 year due to the pandemic).
They reached the MIAA Division 4 state championship match the past four years. In 2019 they made it to the state semifinals and they were in the North finals in 2018 and 2021.
Dunn was also named the CAL Kinney Division Coach of the Year five times.
Dunn, who is 72, said that his physical health is the main reason he is stepping down.
“Coaching is in my blood,” he stated. “I like to be able to demonstrate drills and do the same physical exercises that I ask of the kids but the legs don’t work as well as they used to.”
Dunn was the women’s coach at his alma mater Salem State, for 15 years from 1994-2013. He also worked at the school in the Health and Wellness Center and retired back in 2015.
The next year he took the job at Lynnfield High.
After a rebuilding year his first season, the Pioneers have qualified for states in every other year.
“That 2018 team was the real breakthrough year for the program,” Dunn recalled.
The toughest year for Dunn to deal with was the 2020 season that was canceled just before the spring season was to commence.
“When we found out about the year being canceled is was very disappointing for me and the kids,” said Dunn. “We had a very good team that year that, I felt, would have won the league title. The kids I really felt bad for were the seniors who missed out on their final year.”
When Dunn started with the team, Lynnfield was in Division 3. They then were moved to Division 4 a few years ago.
In the state finals matches, the Pioneers lost to powerhouse Weston the first two times and then to fellow CAL member, Manchester-Essex the past two finals.
Dunn did not want to make his final year a big deal but told athletic director Mia Muzio before the season that he was probably going to step down.
He told his team after the final regular-season match.
Although he has several great memories, there is one thing that really sticks out.
“In my first year and last year we received the CAL Sportsmanship Award and that is something I am really proud of,” stated Dunn.
Although the team lost some seniors this year, including first singles player Shea McCarthy, the Pioneers have several experienced players back next year as the cupboard will not be bare for the new coach.
“Six of the players coming back have played at least 10 matches this year,” he pointed out. “I am looking forward to going to the matches and helping support them.”
Dunn also wanted to thank his former assistant coaches as Tony Lena joined the team in 2021 and helped out until last year.
The two assistant coaches this spring were Colin Lamusta and Jay Cobau.