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Mike Flannigan Takes A "Sabbatical"
After nearly a quarter century, there won't be a Flannigan vitally involved in the Woodburn Bulldogs' boys soccer program. Mike Flannigan, coach for the last ten years, is taking what he termed "Something of a sabbatical. I'll take at least a year off."
Prior to his ten year stint as head coach, his father, Brian, led the Bulldogs for 11 years. Before that, current Athletic Director Greg Baisch coached for a couple years, culminating with an appearance in the 1987 state championship game. Mike Flannigan was the goalie for that team.
During that time, Woodburn went to the playoffs every year, and three times to the state title game. The elder Flanigan, who continued as an assistant to his son after his tenure, led the Bulldogs to the title game in both his first and last seasons.
The run of 23 years in the playoffs puts Bulldog soccer in the elite status of programs in the state. Something not usually associated with the mid-valley school. During this time frame, both boys and girls basketball have made runs into the postseason, but those have been the exceptional years, not the norm. The football team hasn't had a share of a conference title since 1973.
To put the accomplishments of the soccer program under the Flannigans in perspective, for many of these years, Woodburn was a 3A school (comparable to today's 4A classification), playing up against what is now the 6A class. Only in recent years has the state's system provided anything close to an level competitive situation for the Bulldogs.
But the Flannigan's squads never backed down. A 2002 playoff win over Jesuit, another of those storied names, serves as one of the great days in the history of the proud program.
A program which, even though it never did win a state title, has had the success and community support to build a built a soccer regulation size, soccer only stadium, with lights. A rare site in the northwest at any level.
A program that frequently has had a turnout of over 100 kids, and has of late fielded four teams.
"When you play varsity at Woodburn, you definitely feel a part of something," said Mike Flannigan, who regularly had 100 kids turn out in the fall when the Bulldogs fielded four boys teams.
Whether one of the best runs in Oregon high school history will be interrupted remains to be seen.
Flannigan, who mentioned that college and club soccer are possibilities in his future, acknowledged that "Soccer is (still) definitely my passion," in announcing his planned decision to step down as Woodburn's coach. "It's probably time to move on."
Flannigan, 39, cited family life and educational goals (he is half way to gaining his master's degree) as his reasons for stepping away from the demands of being head coach of a major program.
"This was not an easy decision," Flannigan said. "Woodburn soccer has been a family affair, with a family atmosphere. I think about just how lucky I have been to be able to work with my dad on a professional level. He taught me a lot."
Brian Flannigan described an e-mail he received from a player's parent, which said: "You and Mike did great things for Woodburn. I hope the city knows what they are losing. Thank you for coaching my family."
Mike Flannigan, in admitting the failure to win a state title was a disappointment, one of few he has experienced during his stint at Woodburn, said "There is a hole inside me over that. But Woodburn soccer has a lot to be proud of. We brought a lot of success to the community, and an attitude to the program. We believed."
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Oregon Boys Soccer 
