The Saint Francis High School community is currently navigating a period of profound mourning as it grapples with the passing of a true Lancer legend, Coach Lynn Horiye. A man whose name was synonymous with excellence, integrity, and a lifelong commitment to the development of young people, Coach Lynn was a foundational pillar of the school for nearly four decades. His death, coming just months after his retirement in the spring of 2025, has left an indelible mark on the hearts of colleagues, alumni, and current students who viewed him as the very embodiment of the Saint Francis spirit.
To speak of Lynn Horiye is to speak of a standard of coaching excellence that may never be matched in the Central Coast Section (CCS). For the majority of his thirty-eight-year tenure, Coach Lynn served as the head varsity gymnastics coach, where he didn’t just build a program—he cultivated a dynasty. Under his meticulous guidance, the Lancers captured an astounding 20 CCS championships, a feat that solidified his status as the winningest gymnastics coach in the history of the section.
However, those who practiced under his watchful eye knew that Coach Lynn’s definition of “winning” went far beyond the final score or the gold medal. While his technical knowledge was vast, his true gift lay in his ability to instill discipline and vision in his athletes. He taught his gymnasts that the grace they displayed on the beam and the strength they showed on the bars were metaphors for the resilience they would need in life. He measured his success not by the trophies in the glass cases, but by the confidence, poise, and character his students carried with them long after they hung up their leotards.
Coach Lynn’s passion for student-athlete development was not confined to the gymnasium. He was a versatile mentor who stepped into numerous coaching roles with the same level of enthusiasm and fairness. Whether he was coaching the JV or varsity girls tennis teams, he emphasized the “Lancer Way”—a philosophy rooted in teamwork, perseverance, and mutual respect. On the court, he was known as a steadying force, a coach who could calm a player’s nerves with a single insightful word and who celebrated a hard-fought effort just as much as a victory. He possessed a rare ability to translate the core values of sportsmanship across different disciplines, ensuring that every athlete he touched learned the importance of competing with honor.
Beyond the sidelines and the scoreboards, Coach Lynn was an essential thread in the daily fabric of Saint Francis life. His dedication to the school was all-encompassing. He served in various capacities that often went unrecognized by the general public but were vital to the school’s operation. As a prefect and a long-term substitute teacher, he provided a consistent, reliable presence for students in their academic lives. He was the “steady hand” in the Dean’s Office, where his thoughtful approach to leadership and his calm demeanor helped foster a supportive and safe environment for everyone on campus.
His love for Saint Francis was perhaps most visible in the quiet, selfless work he did behind the scenes. For years, he could be found meticulously keeping statistics for Lancer basketball and football teams. This role, performed far from the spotlight, exemplified his true nature: a man who simply loved being part of the community and was willing to serve in any capacity to support the students and the school he loved. He didn’t seek accolades; he sought to be useful, and in doing so, he became indispensable.
Coach Lynn Horiye’s legacy is not found in the record books, but in the thousands of lives he shaped through his quiet strength and unwavering belief in human potential. He taught generations of Lancers that integrity is more valuable than fame and that kindness is the ultimate form of strength. As the Saint Francis community pauses to honor his memory, they celebrate a life that was a masterclass in service and devotion. Coach Lynn may have retired from the halls of Saint Francis, but his spirit remains woven into every championship banner, every classroom lesson, and every heart that was made better by his presence. He will be missed profoundly, remembered fondly, and his name will forever be spoken with the highest honor within the Lancer family.
