[A.G.]

Is there one? Any scoops coming out of Hancock? Taking this long is going to doom the program to more years of mediocrity.

[ATrain]

The assistant/current interim is interviewing, Alejandra don't ask me about the last name. Thats coming straight from an interview I did with her a couple months ago concerning LU tennis. I can also find out more on Thursday night.

[A.G.]

I am sure she would do a great job--with the women--but to play "what if," would it hurt recruiting if "she" was the men's coach?

[ATrain]

Well, I'm a guy, I wouldn't mind playing under her

But, in all seriousness, I have no idea how this would affect the men's team as far as recruiting and performance is concerned. Are there any female coaches over any men's teams in DI or even in all of college athletics? If there are, a clue might come from there as to how that will affect the men's team.

[A.G.]

Yes, I set you clowns up perfectly--and I knew it.

Also, I'm not sure if she would be the only woman coaching a men's team in D-I, but she would be the ONLY female head coach of ANY team at LU. Chew on that one, EEOC/Title IX/Women Libbers.

[ATrain]

UPDATE: Its been narrowed down to two choices.

[A.G.]

Well! That certainly didn't take long

[Purple Haize]

Well! That certainly didn't take long

Exactly, when compared to geological stratification, it was but a blink!

[ATrain]

From what I understand, it'll be a couple more weeks before a final decision is made, but it should be made in time enough for the fall tournaments.

[A.G.]

At least the new coach can start recruiting for 07-08! This year is a lost year. We'll get almost just as many Cup points from Women's Golf.

[PAmedic]

I wouldn't say TOTALLY lost- we have some decent talent to start with, and outta 10k students, we SHOULD be able to find 4-6 more that know how to play. We just need SOMEONE to guide them.

thats not to downplay the importance of good coaching in a D1 program, I'm just saying don't throw the baby out w/ the bathwater- call me Mr Optimist.

[ATrain]

I'll play...Longwood wanted me 3/4 years ago, and they beat Liberty this year in men's tennis

[ATrain]

UPDATE: The final decision has been made, look for an announcement soon...and thats all I'm allowed to say at the moment.

[Sly Fox]

Alejandra would be appear form the outside to be valuable particularly from a recruiting standpoint. Let's face it, collegiate tennis is all about overseas recruiting. And having a bilingual coach with connections to Latin America has its great advantages.

[Hold My Own]

OK guys the background check and everything has been finalized...Chris Johnson has been named the head coach...I'll let PA post some facts on Chris and everything, but he's a great guy and we actually were hanging out tonight...the press release should be out tomorrow

[bigsmooth]

congrats to chris. he is a solid guy. i wish him well.

[PAmedic]

trying this again

http://lynchburg-hillcats.com/staff/?id=58

Chris Johnson

Title: Director of Stadium Operations & Group Sales
Email: cjohnson@lynchburg-hillcats.com

Bio: Chris enters his fourth season in Lynchburg as the Director of Stadium Operations. A graduate of Liberty with a degree in Sports Management, Chris is a former member of the Flames Tennis Team. The faithful Vikings, Angels and Tar Heels fan resides in Forest with his wife Audrey. He enjoys hunting, fishing, golf, tennis and church related activities. His life verse is Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".

[LU'sbestmanager]

its official:

Liberty Names Johnson Men's & Women's Tennis Coach


August 7, 2006
Lynchburg, Va.

Liberty University Director of Athletics Jeff Barber has announced the employment of Chris Johnson as the department’s new head men’s and women’s tennis coach.

“We are very fortunate to have Chris Johnson join our team,” commented Barber. “He brings a wealth of knowledge of Liberty University and tennis to our program and we are excited about the future of our tennis program."

Johnson is no stranger to the tennis program as he was a four-year letterwinner at Liberty, playing from 1990-94, while serving as an assistant coach during the 1995 season.

Johnson finished his career at Liberty with 31 singles victories (averaging 7.8 singles victories per season) at #3 and #4 singles, while posting a 51.5 doubles winning percentage (34-32) at #1 and #2 doubles. Johnson finished both his junior and senior years with 10 singles victories, while finishing his senior campaign with a career best 12-10 doubles record in his final year of competition.

Johnson helped the Flames posted a combined 32-38 record during his four-year career. Liberty was competing in just its third season at the NCAA Division I level during Johnson’s freshman year (1991), while he was a member of Liberty’s first-ever tennis team to compete in the Big South Conference in 1992. During his playing career, Johnson was honored as a member of the Big South academic honor roll.

Johnson was a distinguished high school player who graduated from Alexander Central High School in 1990. A four-year letterwinner at Alexander Central, Johnson garnered all-conference honors as a senior when he was ranked 37th in the state of North Carolina.


“I am thrilled to be a part of such an incredible vision and humbled at the opportunity that has been entrusted to me,” stated Johnson. “I am looking forward to serving together and using my talents for the Lord’s work.”

Johnson brings a wealth of business experience, vision and organizational skills to Liberty’s tennis program, having spent the last 12 years in the business world. He comes to Liberty after serving as the Director of Stadium Operations/Group Sales for the Lynchburg Baseball Corporation since October 2003.

He also worked four years for the Aon Corporations, having spent time in Hickory, N.C. and then Branch Manager of their Roanoke, Va. branch. After graduating from Liberty, he spent six years with Play It Again Sports, a United States based chain of athletic stores that buy, sell and trades new and used sports merchandise, including five years as an owner/operator in Hickory.

A native of Hickory, N.C., Johnson graduated from Liberty in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in sport management. He is still active in the tennis world as he ranked 31st in the 2005 Mid-Atlantic sectional rankings, while posting a first place finish in both singles and doubles in the Lynchburg Kaleidoscope Tournament in 2006.

[ATrain]

Chris is a great guy and I have had the great pleasure and privelege of being employed by him for the past 3 seasons at the Hillcats. He will do an excellent job.