Illinois (8-4, 2-0) head coach Brad Dancer signed a contract extension on Wednesday that will keep him in Champaign through the 2030-31 season. In his 20th season, Dancer has led the team to a winning record and has taken the Illini to No. 16 in the national rankings.
A resume as good as any
As Illinois’ longest-tenured tennis coach, Dancer has shown his success like no other. With 382 wins, he has won the most matches with Illinois. He has also led the team to 17 NCAA tournament spots, 11 Sweet 16 appearances and three Big Ten championships.
His resume extends outside of Illinois as well. He is the eighth-winningest coach in Big Ten history and won the ITA Regional Coach of the Year award twice. With a winning record in 17 of his 19 seasons, Dancer has been one of the strongest influences for Illinois.
Backing his players
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During this season’s Michigan (8-6, 2-0) dual, redshirt sophomore Tyler Bowers lost a heartbreaking first set in his singles match. Taking the first set to a tiebreaker, Bowers battled hard but eventually lost the tiebreaker 6-8.
In his second set, he clearly looked disappointed and exhausted. His serves lacked energy at times, and he was conceding advantage. However, Dancer stepped up here. Through the majority of Bowers’ second set, Dancer kept talking to him. Bowers would have his head down after a missed point, but Dancer made sure his player didn’t lose confidence.
“No holidays for him!” Dancer said to Bowers.
Even though Bowers lost the second set 1-6, Dancer’s constant coaching made a difference. In Illinois’ next dual against University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (3-13, 0-0), Bowers hit the court running with a straight set 6-0 and 6-1 singles win. He has gone 2-1 since the Michigan dual and has had two close unfinished matches.
All in
No. 12 junior Kenta Miyoshi has reached his career-high ITA singles ranking this season under Dancer. The newly extended coach has also helped Bowers, redshirt junior William Mroz and redshirt freshman Zach Viiala make their first ITA rankings.
With an already successful Big Ten record, Dancer leads Illinois through its biggest-ever conference slate this season. Illinois has a mighty challenge on its hands but would be delighted to have a motivated head coach leading them through it.
