Men's Tennis | 2/16/2024 2:54:00 PM

MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—Barry University's two-time national champion men's tennis coach Thomas Hipp has resigned to pursue a non-collegiate tennis opportunity, Director of Athletics Dr. Scott Smith announced today.

"Thomas has done an outstanding job these past three years leading the men's Buccaneer tennis program," Smith said. "As a former player and part of two National Championships as an assistant coach and two more as our head coach, he will always be a Buccaneer.  We wish him the best in his next professional journey."

Hipp, who led the Buccaneers to NCAA Division II national championships in 2022 and 2023 after taking over the position from long-time coach Dr. George Samuel, will stay with the team through March 31 of this year. In his two full seasons as Barry head coach, he led the team to a 47-10 record, two Sunshine State Conference Tournament championships, and two NCAA South Region titles as well as the two national championships.

"Leaving Barry was one of my toughest decisions I have had to make in my life because Barry will always have a special place in my heart," Hipp said. "I will always come back to Barry as it is my alma mater and I am very grateful for what Barry has provided to me in the past two decades."

Prior to Barry, Hipp served seven seasons as the director of tennis at Flagler College, coaching the men's team since 2014 and also heading the women's program in 2015 and 2016. Overall, he has compiled a 123-103 record, including 88-85 at the helm of the men. Since 2017, his record is 65-40, advancing to the NCAA Regional three times and being ranked in the Top-10 of the ITA National Poll. His overall career record stood at 135-95 in 10 seasons as a men's coach.

Associate head coach Fredric Bonal will led the team through the end of the 2024 championship season as acting coach.