HighFIVE: Jim Flanigan

Tennis has always been primarily about building relationships for Flanigan

Jim Flanigan has an accomplished tennis resume but when you ask him about it, he doesn’t talk much about the victories or trophies he’s amassed, but, rather, he focuses on the word “relationships”. Starting with his dad getting him on the tennis court when he was 8 years old to his high school and college teammates to his coaches, mentors, students and high school players, tennis has always been primarily about building relationships for Flanigan.

Currently the Athletic Director at Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch, Jim’s journey into tennis started because his dad was a tennis player and wanted to pass on his love of the sport to his three sons. 

“My dad wanted us to have opportunities with tennis that he didn’t have, so our family joined The Ranch in Westminster so we could play year-round.” 

While he played multiple sports as a kid, at the start of high school, Flanigan decided to focus on tennis. He spent his freshman year at Northglenn and then transferred to Arvada West where he had a successful career, finishing as high as third in the state, which led to a tennis scholarship at the University of Northern Colorado.

While at UNC, Jim played No. 2 singles his first two years and No. 1 singles his junior and senior years. He helped UNC qualify for nationals three times, was the conference player of the year as a senior and was ranked in the collegiate top 50 in the nation. 

“I was always better at individual sports where I could determine my own destiny, but there was something special about the feeling of being part of team. I loved the relationships I made and experiences I had through my high school and college teams.” 

During his college summers, Jim gained some early coaching experience while working at the Benson Nike Tennis Camp in Greeley. Upon graduating UNC with a degree in education, he knew his passion was developing relationships with kids through being a teacher and coach.

His first job was as a student teacher at a relatively new Mountain Vista High School. The boys’ tennis team had about 12 kids and Jim volunteered to help. Shortly after, his former boss, John Benson, called and said that he wanted Flanigan to help coach the boys’ team at Cherry Creek High School. Flanigan jumped at the chance and helped them win a state title. 

At the end of that season, the head boys coach at Mountain Vista resigned and Flanigan had a decision to make. “I was a 24-year-old first year teacher and had already won a state championship, which was a great feeling. But I decided to take the head coaching job at Mountain Vista. I don’t know that I realized it back then, but in reflection, I think I wanted the challenge of building a program from the ground level. I wanted to build relationships with players and other coaches and see what we could make happen together.”

Fritz Garger, Executive Director of USTA Colorado, has watched Flanigan’s journey and says, “Mountain Vista, high school tennis and Colorado tennis in general have been fortunate to have Jim so involved. His teams have always represented the school and the sport with class and outstanding sportsmanship. This is a real tribute to Jim and his assistant coaches. Jim is a quality person, and a very entertaining one as well! His wit and demeanor make all those who come to know him laugh and smile!”

Flanigan’s positive attitude is contagious and helped present him with many opportunities through the relationships he has built through tennis. 

“When I was just starting out in my career, I was lucky enough to be approached by Randy Ross, who I had known since I was kid, and he asked if I wanted to do some part-time coaching for him.” 

Jim did that for about five years and the income he received from that allowed him to go to school one night per week for two years so that he could get his Master’s Degree in Education Administration and further grow his career at Mountain Vista.

And what a career it has been – 19 years as the head coach of the boys’ team, 14 years as a social studies teacher, 10 years as the head coach of the girls’ team and five years as the Athletic Director. 

“Tennis has given me so much and I always tried to impart that on the kids,” he says. With many successful teams, including a third place finish at state for the boys in 2013 and a second place finish at state for the girls in 2017, Flanigan is proud of his teams’ accomplishments, but is even more proud of the bonds he built. 

“You invest in people and you invest in relationships, because those last forever,” he says. 

The importance of relationships was evident when Jim retired this year as the boys and girls coach and told the players and parents that “I hope those who played for me think of me and remember a life lesson I taught them and not a forehand or a serve.” This statement is typical of Flanigan, who Jason Colter, USTA Colorado Tournament Operations Director, describes as “an outstanding ambassador for high school tennis.” Colter continues, “Jim’s passion and dedication to his players is evident. He is well-respected among his peers as someone who brings professionalism and enthusiasm as both a coach and successful Level 3 site director.”

When Jim reflects on the importance of tennis in his life, he can’t help but mention his dad often. “My dad gave me tennis. He really wanted us to win a state championship in father/son doubles and I really wanted to give that to him.  We came so close so many times. One year we made the finals and the day before I decided to hike Pike’s Peak. I ended up breaking my ankle. There went that chance! A few years later, we were able to capture the title and I am so glad to have been able to do that with my dad. Without him, tennis would not have been part of my life and I would not have developed the relationships and career that I have,” he says.

While still extremely busy as the Athletic Director at Mountain Vista, Flanigan is looking forward to having more time to spend with his three kids, ages 9, 8 and 7. “I am excited to support them and be with them for their important moments. But I may coach again. It’s a bug I have, and I love it.”

MidFirst Bank is one of the largest privately owned banks and this combination of size and private ownership provides our customers with a special brand of banking. We are a strong supporter of the communities we serve, investing time and money in important educational, charitable and civic organizations. Our volunteerism is powered by our employees from all of the communities in which we live and share with our customers. MidFirst Bank is a proud partner of USTA Colorado.