Sept. 23, 2008
What attracted you to the job here at Tulane?
Whenever anybody asks this question I always think of the same word: "special." I think Tulane is a special place with an extraordinary opportunity for success in any endeavor. As an all-encompassing place for a student-athlete, it has what I call the big three characteristics for tennis players: incredible academics, excellent athletic opportunities, fantastic location. I especially liked the idea of building a program from scratch, so I can put my brand on it, so to speak.
While you're restarting a program, you take over one that has a solid history. What do you think it will take to get the program back to the level it was prior to suspension, and do you feel any additional pressure inheriting a team with a successful past?
It will take patience in setting the right foundation. I think many extremely talented players will be chomping at the bit to come here, but I'm going to have to work hard at getting to know them well during the recruiting process to ensure that they are of good character, good students and hard workers. Inheriting a program that has had previous success gives me confidence that it has that possibility in the future. But this confidence is due in part to the support from the administration too. I feel they are behind this restoration 100% and, when possible, will provide what is necessary for us to succeed.
How soon do you think the program can return to where it was prior to suspension?
I think we should be competing for conference championships at least by the time my freshman class are seniors, if not earlier. By then I think we will have the leadership on the team which is necessary to carry that kind of charge. As far as getting back into the top 25, that should come soon after. Our schedule will be very strong both in and out of conference from the start so we'll have plenty of opportunities to compete against a high level of competition and earn a national ranking again.
What is the best thing about working and living in New Orleans?
The culture. Being from a big city myself (Chicago), I treasure the cultural aspects of the community. New Orleans offers so much in that area. The people down here are very welcoming too and treat you like you're their friend right off the bat. I was in line at the grocery store and this guy behind me started talking about the Saints. Nobody answered him so I turned around to make sure he wasn't talking to me, but he was. Unfortunately I didn't know much about them yet, but after the ensuing conversation I did. There are many friendly people down here.
The student-athletes at Tulane University have to balance a fine line of academic excellence and athletic prowess. Is that different for you compared to where you've been before?
Academics have always been my primary focus for my student-athletes. At LSU, Coach Brown and I made it our goal to ensure that the student-athletes were getting all they could from their education. In 10 years we had the SEC student-athlete of the year three separate times and six academic All-Americans as well. All of that while maintaining a top 15 or better ranking year in and year out. Here at Tulane the academic requirements are a bit more demanding, but again, it goes back to getting the right kind of student, one who understands that level of commitment. I think the students we'll get here will be ready for that challenge.
Do you think your experiences as an assistant at LSU will help you as a head coach here at Tulane?
I do because I was given an excellent opportunity by Coach Brown to learn from scratch on how to coach. Having coached on Final Four and SEC Championship teams has allowed me to gain valuable experiences that I will be able to bring to this program. I've been storing up ideas for the last 10 years on how I would run my program and now I get that opportunity!
Do you think your experiences as a professional tennis player will help you as a head coach?
Definitely. As a former player who has competed at the highest levels, I know what these guys are going through both on the court and off. Over the years I've learned how to reach each player individually to share that knowledge. Whether it's technical, tactical, or mental, I can teach them what they need to reach their desired goals.
You always hear that coaches try to develop student-athletes both on the course and in the classroom. As a former student-athlete yourself, how do you draw on those experience to help your future players?
I look at myself first and foremost as a life-skills coach. Everything that these student-athletes are going through on and off the court has the opportunity to teach them something about a skill they can use later on in life. It's my goal to use my experiences as a student, an athlete, and a coach to recognize those opportunities and to get them to recognize those opportunities, thereby shaping them into men of solid character who will succeed in whatever endeavor they seek.
What are your recruiting philosophies for the next few years as you rebuild the Tulane men's tennis program?
This situation of rebuilding a program from scratch is unique, so setting the right foundation is key. I'm looking for guys who want to be a part of that rebuilding process, almost pioneers of sorts. When they look back on their junior or senior year, I want them to be able to say "I helped build this program back into a top 25 program." I want the student-athletes to know to able to imagine the effects of achieving a goal like that because it will have a lasting effect on their personal growth.
What are your short and long-term goals for the Tulane men's tennis team?
Short term goals would be a high team GPA, development of the team mentality (can be tough in this `individual' sport), and having a winning season my first year. Long term goals would be high team GPA's, winning the conference, sending players to NCAA Individuals, and breaking into the top five nationally. At that level, you should have the horses to compete, and winning a championship is just a matter of continuing to get them to believe in themselves at levels they may have not done previously.
What is the most exciting thing about being the men's tennis coach at Tulane?
I believe its being a part of the rich Tulane academic and athletic tradition and knowing that the sky is the limit for our team. I truly believe this program is destined for success and I am privileged to be at the helm.
