By Scott Hakim
Staff Writer
Tech certainly has a recent knack for finding quality coaches and the new additions make up a group that includes passionate, knowledeable veterans and positive, eager newcomers. New Women’s Tennis coach Rodney Harmon is no exception.
If success was based solely on the passion and experience of the coach, the Jackets would have already won multiple titles. Harmon, coming off of an accolade filled three year coaching stint at the University of Miami in the late 90’s, and a nearly twenty year stint as the director of Men’s Tennis for the USTA, was named the U.S. Men’s Tennis coach for the 2008 Olympics. Most recently, Harmon was the director of tennis at Deerwood Country Club in Jacksonville, Florida.
Living in Atlanta was one of the major contributing factors in his decision to come to Tech. That, and his strong ties to former Tech coach Bryan Shelton who recently accepted a new coaching position at the University of Florida, seems to set up a dream job for the experienced coach.
Ultimately, Harmon’s legacy at Tech will be based off of the success of a very renowned team that has made back-to-back appearances in the Sweet 16 and is prepping for a move into a brand-new facility. Harmon has big plans for the program.
“My goal is to continue to build on the ground work Bryan Shelton built and for our team to excel both in the classroom and on the court…This is one of the best jobs in the country. With the addition of the Ken Byers Tennis Complex and the support of the administration and the fans, we will continue to have a team to be proud of,” said Harmon.
Were Harmon to win the NCAA team title, Shelton and Harmon would be the only two coaches to bring in a NCAA team title in Tech school history.