July 21, 2010

FORT WORTH—Dave Borelli has been named the new head coach of the TCU women’s tennis program, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Chris Del Conte announced Wednesday. Borelli, who has spent the last four seasons as coach of the TCU men’s team, will move back to exclusively coaching the Frog women, a role he previously held for four years from 2002 through 2006.

A national search has begun for Borelli’s replacement as head coach of the TCU men’s program.

“I am excited about the opportunity for a return to coaching the women’s team,” Borelli said. “While it is hard to leave the men’s program, I feel that team is in a much better situation than when I took over in 2006. I think the program is on solid ground and has an opportunity to feature its best team in several years this upcoming season.

“I really believe we can build a national-championship contender in the TCU women’s tennis program.”

Borelli will be returning to the role that saw him already log a distinguished career by the time he took over the reigns of the Frog men’s program. He owns a 374-75 record in 18 seasons as a women’s head coach, including a 72-30 mark in four seasons with TCU from 2002 through 2006. Accomplishments in the world of women’s tennis have earned him a spot in the Intercollegiate Women’s Tennis Hall of Fame. He will become only the third male coach ever enshrined by the organization Nov. 13 in Williamsburg, Va.

"Dave is a Hall of Fame coach and a great fit at TCU," Del Conte said. "He has been an ambassador for our tennis programs.

"We achieved tremendous success with Dave previously at the helm of our women's team. We share his vision and high expectations for the program."

Borelli improved the final national ranking of the TCU women’s team in each of his last three seasons and led the squad to its most successful season in program history with a No. 15 rating and NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 2005-06, his final season as head coach. He earned three major awards in his final two seasons, including Intercollegiate Tennis Association Southwest Region Coach of the Year in 2005 and conference coach of the year in 2005 (Conference USA) and 2006 (Mountain West Conference).

A 1974 graduate of USC, Borelli began his career as women’s head coach for the Trojans, going 302-45 with seven national championships from 1974 through 1988. USC players combined to win five individual national championships in singles and one in doubles under his guidance, and he was named NCAA Coach of the Year in 1981.

Borelli, whose overall career record stands at 428-120 in 21 seasons, recently completed his fourth season with the TCU men by leading the squad to the Mountain West Conference tournament championship and the team’s 19th NCAA tournament appearance in the last 20 years. The Frog men totaled four MWC titles overall (two regular season, two tournament) under Borelli’s tutelage.

Prior to arriving at TCU, Borelli served as the men's professional tour coach for the USTA. He was in charge of the rookie pro program for USA player development.