Ken Flach Head Coach Eddie Coates Assistant Coach Volunteer Assistant Coach Rocky Adcox

Over the past five seasons, the Commodores have reached new heights. They have made their first NCAA Tournament appearances and they have achieved the highest national rankings in school history. This turnaround can be attributed to head coach Ken Flach. For Flach, it is another chapter of a successful tennis career that has seen Olympic Gold, Grand Slam championships, and Davis Cup victories.

Although Vanderbilt University is Flach's first collegiate coaching position, he does not lack in high-level coaching experience. In 1996, he guided his brother, Doug Flach, past Andre Agassi at Wimbledon and has coached part-time with Stan Smith and Tom Gullickson for the USTA in Key Biscayne, Fla. He joined the Commodore staff for the 1997 dual match season.

Flach brings a world of experience to the Commodore court. He has received a No. 1 world ranking in doubles. For the 1993 U.S. Open doubles tournament, Flach teamed with Rick Leach to win the title. With long-time doubles partner Robert Seguso, the duo holds 29 doubles titles including the 1987 and 1988 Wimbledon titles, the 1999 and 2000 Wimbledon 35-and-over titles, the 1985 U.S. Open title and Olympic gold medal and an 11-2 Davis Cup record.

In Flach's first season, the Commodores won their first Southeastern Conference matches in two years. The wins, versus Arkansas and Tennessee, came on the road and helped Vanderbilt post an 8-12 record, up from 4-15 the previous year. "Vanderbilt offers students an all-around level of excellence that you don't find at many universities," he said. "Some schools might excel in several important areas, but I don't think there's a school that can match Vanderbilt in terms of the total package. You get exceptional academics, along with the best tennis conference and a great tennis center to play in. All located on a beautiful campus with a feeling of seclusion despite being right in the heart of a major city that's booming right now. It's all right there for you."

Flach's positive outlook and passion for the sport helped guide the Commodores to one of the most successful seasons in school history in his third year. In 1999 the team beat Alabama, Louisiana State and Kentucky, all teams which would receive Top 16 seeds in the NCAA tournament, during the regular season. These important wins helped earn Vanderbilt its first NCAA Tournament berth ever. The team received a No. 2 seed for its regional at Illinois. The Commodores defeated Michigan in their NCAA debut before falling to host Illinois. The team finished the season with a final ranking of No. 28, the highest in school history.

Last year the Commodores featured Flach's most heralded freshman class and a return to the NCAA Tournament. The squad finished 13-13 on the year and upset five higher ranked opponents during the year. The team finished the season ranked No. 31 after defeating Arizona State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

"From a tennis standpoint, there isn't a whole lot that I haven't had the privilege of doing," Flach said. "From being a nationally ranked junior, through college and the professional ranks I've been able to gain a great measure of experience. I feel that I've learned a lot along the way which I can pass along to my players."

Born and raised in St. Louis, he is a big fan of the Cardinals and the Blues. Flach threw out the season's first pitch for the 1986 St. Louis Cardinals. He still competes in an occasional senior tour event. In 2000, Flach and Seguso were co-champions of the Wimbledon 35-and-over doubles competition, Flach's fifth championship at the fabled All-England Club.

Flach is married to the former supermodel Sandra Freeman, and the couple has four children: Dylan, 13; Madison, 11; Noah, 9; and Hannah, 4.

Playing Experience
Professional Experience
o 1988 Olympic Doubles Gold Medalist o Member of U.S. Davis Cup team (1985-91)
o 1987 & 1988 Wimbledon Men's Doubles Champion
o 1985 & 1993 U.S. Open Men's Doubles Champion
o 1986 French Open Mixed Doubles Champion
o 1986 Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Champion
o 1985 No. 1 World Ranking
o 1999 Wimbledon 35-and-over Doubles Champion
o 2000 Wimbledon 35-and-over Doubles co-Champion
o Won 36 doubles titles

Collegiate Experience
o Three-time NCAA Div. II Singles Champion
o 1983 Division I Singles and Doubles All-American

Coaching Experience
o Guided VU to its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth in 1999
o Part-time coach, USTA Junior Development Program
o Head of Junior Development Program, Horseshoe Bend Country Club
o 1993 graduate of ATP professional school