Fresno State Athletics
Kevin Epley Hired as Women's Tennis Coach
8/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Aug. 21, 2000
FRESNO, Calif. - Kevin Epley, former assistant coach at the University of Arizona and assistant to Billie Jean King with the United States Federation Cup team, has been named the new women's tennis coach, athletics director Al Bohl announced today.
"Kevin has a tremendous background as a coach, and we think he will be a great addition to our staff," Bohl said. "We have a strong tradition as a women's tennis program at Fresno State, and I have the utmost confidence Kevin will continue that success and take the program to new levels."
A 1995 graduate of Southern Methodist University, Epley began his coaching career in 1996 as an assistant to King with the U.S. Federation Cup team. Also in 1996, he began instructing at the renowned Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, where he served as a practice partner for players such as Monica Seles and Anna Kournikova.
In addition to his duties with the Federation Cup team, Epley became an assistant coach at the University of Alabama during the 1998-99 season. Following the season, he became a personal traveling coach for touring professional Patty Schnyder, formerly ranked No. 8 in the world. His duties included being responsible for all coaching, scouting and travel planning. He also coached Lindsay Davenport at the Toyota Princess Cup in Japan, a tournament which Davenport won by defeating Monica Seles in the finals.
During the 1999-00 season, Epley was the assistant women's tennis coach at the University of Arizona, where he helped lead the Wildcats to a No. 21 national ranking and a round of 16 appearance at the NCAA tournament.
"I can't say enough about Kevin," said King, a holder of 20 Wimbledon titles and perhaps the most renowned champion of women's tennis in the world. "He's a wonderful person and an excellent teacher and motivator. You cannot find a better human being to be at Fresno State than Kevin Epley. He will enhance the program tremendously."
The Epley File
