The University of Florida has found their new men’s tennis coach.
The Gators announced the hiring of Georgia Tech women’s head coach Bryan Shelton on Friday. Shelton had coached Georgia Tech’s women’s team for 13 years, leading the program to its only national championship in 2007.
Shelton’s hiring came with a ringing endorsement from the Gators’ women’s head coach, Roland Thornqvist.
“He’s the best in the country,” Thornqvist said. “On the men’s or women’s side.”
Shelton is tasked with getting Florida’s men’s team to the next level. The UF men’s team has fallen in the Round of 16 in eight of the past 10 seasons. Shelton said he believes he is up for the challenge.
“I think that Florida and Florida tennis speaks for itself,” he said. “In my mind, this is the best job in the country.”
Shelton leaves behind a long history at Georgia Tech, where he played for four seasons, being selected to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference team all four years. He won titles in both singles and doubles and was named to the Georgia Tech sports Hall of Fame.
Shelton returned to Georgia Tech after spending seven years on the pro circuit. He took over a women’s team that had never qualified for the NCAA Tournament and led them to an improbable NCAA championship eight years later.
Shelton said he has high hopes for the Gator’s men’s team going forward.
“I’m talking about the opportunity to grow and develop a program to the highest level,” he said. “The opportunity to win championships and be successful year in and year out. This place is a gold mine.”
Thornqvist echoed his belief that Shelton is one of the best coaches in the country and that he can handle the pressure to win at Florida.
“He will thrive in this environment, not because of any external pressures, but because of his inner drive and confidence,” Thornqvist said. “This is not the place for underdogs. Believe me, Bryan understands that.”
Athletic director Jeremy Foley said that expectations were high, and that while he isn’t mandating a championship run in Shelton’s first year, he expects the men’s team to be in the hunt. Shelton knows that, and says he thinks that it’s within reach.
“I think we can do some amazing things at Florida ... starting today,” Shelton said.
