Publication Date: Friday, February 04, 2005
COLLEGE TENNIS
The big day has arrived
The big day has arrived
(February 04, 2005) Whitlinger makes debut as Stanford men's tennis head coach
by Rick Eymer
After 18 years as the assistant coach the Stanford men's tennis team, John Whitlinger still isn't quite used to being in charge.
Whitlinger still walks into the men's tennis office and up to his old door, which now houses his assistant coach, David Hodge.
At last Saturday's match in Berkeley against rival California, Whitlinger's years as Stanford's assistant showed up again.
"I was filling out the lineup card and I got down to where you fill in coach/assistant coach," Whitlinger said. "I put Gould/Whitlinger, like I had for 18 years."
Whitlinger quickly erased his mistake and added Hodge's name.
"It's a little scary when you've followed someone like Dick," Whitlinger said, "but it's something I've been groomed to do. I've never felt like an assistant coach here."
The John Whitlinger era officially begins this weekend as the nationally No. 7-ranked Cardinal men's tennis team plays host to San Diego today at 1:30 p.m. and Fresno State on Saturday at noon. Stanford also will host St. Mary's on Tuesday, at 1:30 p.m.
"The day has arrived," Whitlinger said of his first home match as Stanford's head coach.
Whitlinger officially assumed the head-coaching duties when Dick Gould stepped down last spring after a remarkable 38-year career and moved into the position of Director of Tennis. Whitlinger picked up an exhibition victory in Hawaii in November before getting his first career triumph against the Bears.
"It was nice to get that first win," Whitlinger said. "I'm retiring! I'm going out undefeated!"
The Cardinal likely will be undefeated for a while, a goal Whitlinger has set for his team going into the National Team Indoor Championships that begin Feb. 17 in Chicago.
"That's five more matches," said Whitlinger, who'll then face UCLA and USC in Los Angeles.
There's lots to do before then, however.
"I'm the one who has to do the pregame ritual," Whitlinger said of addressing his team before the matches. "I've been here before, but it's still exciting."
Whitlinger may be the new head coach, but his influence has been felt at Stanford for a long time.
In addition to serving as Gould's assistant the past 18 years - he was the associate head coach the past five - Whitlinger also earned All-American honors while playing - and winning the 1974 NCAA singles and doubles titles -- at Stanford.
Whitlinger, who helped lead Stanford to its first two NCAA team titles (of 17) in 1973 and 1974, is an integral part of the Cardinal's success over the years, and hopes to continue the tradition.
Stanford has two of the top singles players in the country on the top of its ladder in No. 4 Sam Warburg (67-9 in career dual meets) and No. 15 KC Corkery (36-12). The pair also forms the second-ranked doubles team in the nation which is the defending NCAA doubles champion.
They will get a chance to test their skills against another former NCAA doubles championship team in an exhibition match against Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan following Saturday's match against Fresno State.
The Bryans won their NCAA title in 1998. Bob Bryan also won the singles title that year. The brothers are currently playing professionally and are in town for the SAP Open that begins Monday at the San Jose Arena.
The Bryans will host a clinic and question-and-answer period before taking on Warburg and Corkery.
An auction benefiting East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring and the Stanford Tennis Club will also be conducted on Saturday as part of "Kick Off Saturday."
Warburg is 6-1 against ranked opponents this season, with his only loss to then-No.1 ranked Catalin Gard of Mississippi at the Icy Hot/ITA All-American Championship in October. His career dual match record is 67-9.
The doubles team of Corkery and Warburg are 10-2 this season, including a tournament title at the Wilson/ITA Regional Championship.
Sophomore Eric McKean, Junior Jon Wong, sophomore James Wan (23-4 in dual meets), senior Phil Sheng (32-28) and sophomore Nico Martinez are Stanford's other returning players.
Newcomers include sophomore David Ryan, freshman Lee Chang and freshman Phil Kao.
Kao has won two straight singles title at the Northern California sectionals, and joins the team as one of the top recruits in the nation.
Menlo School grad James Pade, who was bothered by injuries much of last year, will use his redshirt season this year. He's 33-12 in dual meets.
Whitlinger, meanwhile, is looking forward to Tuesday's match against St. Mary's. His son, J.J., is a senior for the Gaels.
"He called me up the other night and wanted to know our lineup," Whitlinger said. "I'll be keeping an eye out there on the scoreboard. It'll be neat to see Whitlinger on the scoreboard again."
As it will be to see John Whitlinger on the court, this time as Stanford's head coach.
Sports Editor Keith Peters contributed to this story.
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