After 13 years at Appalachian State and 12 years leading the communications department, Mountaineers assistant athletics director/sports information director Mike Flynn was announced as Georgia Tech’s assistant athletics director for communications and public relations on June 9.
“Mike has been involved in every facet of communications and public relations across all sports and from the ground up in his time in collegiate athletics,” Georgia Tech athletic director Mike Bobinski said in a statement.
Flynn has been a key member of App States athletic department working hard behind the scenes as the primary media contact, for football and baseball and acting as the department’s chief spokesman for the schools 20 athletic teams.
Prior to his arrival at App State, Flynn served on the sports information staff at TCU (2001-03) and Miami, Ohio (1999-2001).
After arriving in 2003 as an assistant sports information director, he was promoted to director in 2004 and assistant athletics director in 2006.
Flynn managed all communications and publicity for the Mountaineers football program and helped the team smoothly transition to NCAA Division I FBS Sun Belt conference.
Under Flynn’s tenure, App State won three consecutive NCAA Division I FCS national championships (2005-07) and the historic 34-32 win over Michigan in 2007 that helped put the Mountaineers on the map.
This past season, the Mountaineers won 11 games and the Camellia Bowl in their first season eligible as an FBS team.
Beginning in 2014 Flynn was responsible for App State’s non-conference football scheduling and was a key member in scheduling a home and home series with five-time national champion Miami in Florida. The first game takes place in Boone on September 12 on ESPN or ESPN 2.
“I’d like to thank everyone at Appalachian State. I’ve been fortunate to be associated with amazing people in my 13 years in the High Country, especially the App State coaches, student-athletes and staff,” Flynn said. “Appalachian will always hold a special place in the hearts of my family and me. I wish the Mountaineers nothing but continued success.”
He will now oversee the day-to-day operation of the communications and public relations staff, publicizing Georgia Tech’s 17-sport program. He will serve as the Yellow Jackets’ primary communications contact for the football team and be a part of the GTAA’s senior leadership team.
“I’d like to thank Mike Bobinski and everyone at Georgia Tech for inviting me to be a part of their incredible team and culture,” Flynn said. “My family and I are unbelievably excited and grateful for the opportunity. I can’t wait to begin working with the coaches, student-athletes and staff, as well as the local, regional and national media that cover the Yellow Jackets.”
Behind the scenes, Flynn helped put App State athletics on the map over the last 13 years and has left the school with a bright future.
There has been no official word yet on new athletic department positions.
By: Jason Huber, Sports Editor