Do only head coaches have to have played college tennis and have a degree?

[jcgatennismom]

I saw that Wake Forest chose Brit Chris Eaton as their new assistant. He just played pro tennis-right? He did not play college tennis or graduate from college did he? For the Power schools, what is the general rule-does the head coach usually have a degree and college playing experience, and for the assistant he can have pro and/or college background? Does it make a difference how academically selective a school is? I guess not if Wake, a selective academic private, can choose an assistant without a degree. Didnt the new Auburn coach have to finish his degree at Vanderbilt before he could move from an asst job and get a head coaching job?

 

[TopDawg]

I saw that Wake Forest chose Brit Chris Eaton as their new assistant. He just played pro tennis-right? He did not play college tennis or graduate from college did he? For the Power schools, what is the general rule-does the head coach usually have a degree and college playing experience, and for the assistant he can have pro and/or college background? Does it make a difference how academically selective a school is? I guess not if Wake, a selective academic private, can choose an assistant without a degree. Didnt the new Auburn coach have to finish his degree at Vanderbilt before he could move from an asst job and get a head coaching job?

Eaton didn't play college tennis but he got a college degree in the UK. I've been told that you cannot be a paid college coach, head or assistant, without a college degree.

 

[Nacho]

Its the standard of most schools that you have at least a Bachelors degree as part of the criteria to being a coach or Assistant coach. A volunteer coach may be finishing up their degree or could be in a Graduate program. Some schools may value the experience over the degree so if you look at someone like Jimmy Aries, he has a world of experience in tennis but I am pretty sure hasn't earned a degree yet and definitely did not play college tennis. He is an assistant coach at USF currently....I have noticed that all schools have a degree as a requirement when they post a job, but again if someone has a great tennis resume they may be considered. There are plenty of coaches in different sports who have not received their degree but are coaching. I would be excited to learn from a guy like Jimmy Aries if I could get exposure to him....Or say if Ivan Lendl were a coach of a college team. But some random guy that played a few years on the tour and didn't get a degree I might be a little skeptical.

As far as it making a difference, not sure it has been studied. I personally believe there is something to be said for playing in college, and going through the process of earning a degree no matter how you do it. The purpose of going to college is to get an education, and for the coach to have a degree and to have played tennis gives something for the team to inspire to do. However, when you consider 60% of the players are foreign, and many good coaches don't bother with college tennis because there is no money in it, I would argue it might not make a difference. Some schools are just happy to even get a qualified coach as they have issues even getting people in the business.

Don't know much about Eaton or the new Auburn Coach.

 

[PJ Lynn]

Eaton didn't play college tennis but he got a college degree in the UK. I've been told that you cannot be a paid college coach, head or assistant, without a college degree.

Not true. There are/have been a few examples in recent years. Now there are certainly some schools that have their own internal policies, but it's not at all unheard of to hire a coach without a college degree.

 

[DUROC]

Some schools have requirements that ALL teaching/coaching positions have at minimum a BA/BS degrees...........But if there is a candidate who is so "special" like a ex-top top pro or someone with extraordinary background....experience.......that can be waived.

 

[andfor]

Pretty sure this subject has come up before. Got to believe DUROC is correct. Ken Flach coached Vandy for years. I don't think he ever completed his degree. If he has would welcome being corrected. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Flach