Suitland High Moves Forward But Doesn't Forget

Suitland, Md. (WUSA)--When David Lynch's vehicle struck another on the morning of December 31st, 2008, lives were altered forever. For his wife Ivornette, it all began when sheriffs knocked on her door.

"They notified me he had been in a car accident and he had been taken to the hospital and he didnt make it," she said.

His school family also suffered. Gone was the man who not only transformed Suitland High football from perennial doormat to state champion, but on that day a mentor was lost.

"Coach not only affected kids he coached," said Suitland Principal Mark Fossett. "He also affected kids in the community in general. I said at the funeral, I never realized that I was in the midst of greatness."

To give you an idea of how loved he was, the school held a vigil two days after his death and 2,000 people showed up even though it was winter break. A week later 6,000 packed Ebenezer AME Church for his funeral.

Suitland is moving forward now but they're not forgetting. Ed Shields, an assistant under Lynch is now head coach.

"For us its not the magnitude other people make it as much as what would he want us to do," says Shields. "He would want us to play our hardest and go out and do our best."

Prince George's County will honor the coach in the first annual David Lynch Classic, a doubleheader on September 5th at Largo High School. Potomac faces McDonough at 6pm and Suitland will face Henry Wise in the nightcap.

"I think he's in heaven saying just bust 'em in the mouth for forty-eight minutes because that's what he used to always tell us," says senior Jeremiah Johnson.