|
Flach Resigns; Eddie Coates Named Interim Tennis Coach 2/22/2005 Ken Flach, Vanderbilt’s head men’s tennis coach since 1997, announced today that he is resigning as of March 1 to accept a position with a new, private tennis club in Naples, Fla. Eddie Coates, a former Vanderbilt player and Flach’s assistant the last two years, has been named interim head coach by Vice Chancellor David Williams. Coates will direct the Commodores through the spring season. “I have enjoyed this University and coaching this program as much as anything I have ever done,” Flach said in making his decision public. “It was incredibly difficult to leave, especially early in our season. However, this is a rare opportunity with people I have known for a long time and one that I simply cannot pass up. I will always consider myself a Commodore and wish our team nothing but the very best.” Williams wished Flach well but stressed the program would remain on solid footing with Coates. “Coach Flach did an outstanding job in putting our men’s tennis team in the national limelight,” Williams says, “but Eddie Coates has been there during the last two years when we played for the national championship and made the Elite Eight so we are confident in his ability. Eddie knows Vanderbilt inside and out and will do a great job.” “I am surprised and sorry to see Coach Flach leaving our program,” Coates says, “but I am at the same time excited for my opportunity to work with this great bunch of guys and be able to continue the outstanding tradition that has come to characterize Vanderbilt tennis.” Vanderbilt played Illinois for the 2003 NCAA team championship. Coates was credited with helping Bobby Reynolds reach the No. 1 individual national ranking as well as Chad Harris reaching the No. 10 ranking, making Vanderbilt the only team in the nation with two members of the Top 10. Flach, one of professional tennis’ greatest doubles players, was named the 2003 SEC Coach of the Year when the Commodores won the SEC Tournament on their way to the national finals match. Despite the early departure of Reynolds to the professional tour, Flach and Coates directed Vanderbilt back to the NCAA Elite Eight just a year ago. Williams said Vanderbilt will begin a national search for a permanent head coach later this spring. That search will be headed by Jillian Danker, the men’s tennis sports administrator. |
