End of an era: Jeff Wallace set to retire after 38 seasons as Georgia women's tennis coach
Jeff Wallace is closing out his 38 seasons as the Georgia women’s tennis head coach this postseason.
The school announced Friday—on the day his team begins NCAA tournament play—that Wallace is retiring when the season ends.
Wallace, second all-time in career victories for women’s tennis coaches, has guided Georgia to two NCAA outdoor championships and four national indoor titles along with 20 SEC championships including 11 regular season and nine tournament titles.
This year’s team won the SEC tournament title.
Wallace led Georgia to the NCAA championship in 1994 and 2000 and the finals three times including 2019.
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This year's team is seeded No. 3 with a 22-4 record heading into a Friday afternoon match at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
“Four decades ago, Dan Magill, Vince Dooley and Liz Murphey took a chance on me,” Wallace, who won an SEC singles title at Georgia in 1985 playing for Magill, said in a statement. “I was a rookie coach in 1985, and they believed in me and gave me a wonderful opportunity. I appreciate that even more now as I reflect on their decision to entrust me with the program. I am thankful for our president Jere Morehead and his leadership in making the University of Georgia a special place for student learning and success. Also, I am grateful for current athletic director Josh Brooks and everything he continues to do for our student-athletes. I appreciate all the assistant coaches over the years that have helped make what the Georgia tennis program is today.”
Wallace is the latest longtime Georgia coach to walk away after successful careers, following the retirements of swimming coach Jack Baurele last year and softball coach Lu Harris-Champer two years ago.
Wallace’s .804 winning percentages tops all active women’s tennis coaches. He has an 814-198 career record, ranking second all-time in women’s tennis for victories. He trails only Indiana's Lin Loring with 846.
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"Jeff Wallace is Georgia women's tennis," Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks said.. "He played for and learned from the legendary Dan Magill and immediately seized the opportunity to lead the program with integrity and commitment to the student-athletes. The program's rise to national prominence under Jeff's leadership includes more than 800 victories, six national championships and countless successful graduates of the University of Georgia. While Jeff will be missed, he will forever be a part of the Bulldog family."
No successor to Wallace was named but associate head coach Drake Bernstein has been on staff with the women’s program for nine seasons and would be a top candidate. Bernstein, a 2011 UGA grad, won over 100 matches with the men’s team
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Jeff Wallace retiring as Georgia women's tennis coach after 38 seasons
