In his second year of coaching at Nicholls, head tennis coach Jim Hunter has turned both the men and women’s tennis teams from sub-par teams to winning programs. Since the beginning of the 2008 season in a top mid-major conference, Hunter has led the men’s team to an 8-3 record and a first place standing in the Southland Conference. The coach also has guided the women’s team to a 7-3 record. Before Hunter’s arrival, both teams had accumulated a combined record of 6-54. For clarification, that is six wins and 54 losses.
Q: What initially inspired you to become a coach in collegiate athletics?
A: I have had a lifetime love of college sports. As a child, I used to sit at home with my dad and listen to the TCU Horned Frogs football team play on the radio, and I fell in love with college athletics. After retiring from the military, I knew I was going to pursue a coaching career.
Q: With an overall coaching record of 385-129, it is likely you could land a job at most major programs across the country. Why did you choose to come to Nicholls and coach at a mid-major program?
A: After working at the University of New Orleans and Southeastern, I retired from coaching. I really missed the job, and I wanted to get back into the profession. The assistant athletic director at Nicholls called me and offered me the position; I came to Thibodaux to check out the school, and I really liked the area. The nicest people I have ever met are at Nicholls, and if you can’t love the kids I work with, you can’t like anybody.
Q: Can you comment on the sophomore player Eric Fisher, who is currently undefeated and leading the conference in wins with a 13-0 record?
A: Eric has made a great transition from his freshmen to his sophomore season. He has really been on fire this season and is playing great tennis. His brother is also a player with tremendous potential, and he is likely to come here in two years.
Q: With so many young players in the tennis program having success this season, do you think there is a possibility of a Southland Conference Championship in the upcoming years?
A: My goal is to win our conference next year. If you don’t dream big, there is no reason to be here. We may win the championship and we may not, but I have some nice commitments to add to the talent we already have and we are going after the title with both teams.
