Tennis teaching pro Kevin Donovan has been looking for a coaching position for several years and now he has found the right fit for he and his family.
Saturday, Baylor School director of tennis Ned Caswell announced that Donovan, who is currently a teaching pro at Manker Patten Tennis Club, is the new Baylor head tennis coach for boys and girls.
“Kevin has so much energy and does a great job in developing young players. He is a rock star,” said Caswell who is also the Manker Patten director of tennis.
Caswell also announced that Renato Mizutani and Jason Tipton will serve on the tennis staff as associate head coaches for both programs.
Mizutani is currently a teaching pro at Manker Patten and Tipton has been an assistant coach for the Red Raiders the past seven years.
Donovan replaces Dustin Kane as the girls’ coach, while Caswell was the boys coach this past season.
Kane, who led the Baylor girls team to seven straight TSSAA D-II AA state titles, resigned from his position at Baylor in June and has moved back to his hometown of Kansas City, Mo. to pursue a business interest.
“We will miss Dustin as well as Park Lockrow, who served as associate head coach the past eight years, and is now the Baylor Head of The Middle School and will continue his teaching duties,” Caswell said.
“I have waited a long time for doors to open for me to be a coach,” said Donovan, “I love the team atmosphere and having the opportunity to coach at Baylor is a perfect fit for myself and my wife as we wanted a coaching job here in Chattanooga.”
“I feel is will be difficult to replace a legend (Dustin Kane), but I feel I am up to the task to continue the great Baylor tennis tradition and will wear the Baylor tennis shirt with pride.”
Kevin Donovan –2nd team All-American at Anderson (S.C.) Junior College in 1995 under coach Ned Caswell helping the school to a national runner-up finish. He also played three years at Ball State (Ind.) and helped the school to a Mid-American Conference title in 1998.
“I feel my strengths are building relationships with young players and being able to bring a great deal of energy to a school program,” stated Donovan who will also work with the Middle School players.
Renato Mizutani – played collegiately at Shorter College …. is currently a teaching pro at Manker Patten … is a former head coach at Signal Mountain HS.
Jason Tipton … played No.1 for four years at Lookout Valley HS (1999-2002) …. Earned an excercise science degree from UTC … served as a teaching pro at The Champions Club (2003-2010) before moving to Baylor in 2011.
“I feel my strengths are to teach players how to play through adversity and be mentally tough,” Tipton stated. ”I also strive to be a good role model for these kids.”
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton at william.branton@comcast.net
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