HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker College is pleased to announce the hiring of Tim Pleasant as the Cobras new head men’s and women’s tennis coach. Pleasant replaces Alvin Cheng who left Coker in May to become a club pro in Ohio.

Pleasant comes to Coker with extensive experience as a tennis coach and instructor. A former Division I men’s and women’s coach at Austin Peay State University, Pleasant joins the Cobras staff after serving the past six years as the Director of Tennis at the Rock Tennis Academy in Rock Hill, S.C.

“It is an exciting time to be at Coker,” said Pleasant. “The commitment and desire that Coker has to bringing all of its sports up to regional and national prominence, is a challenge that I look forward to taking on.”

A graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, Pleasant holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Physical Education from EKU. During his time at EKU he also served as a graduate assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s tennis teams. Tim is a United States Tennis Association member, an American Tennis Association member and he holds a United States Professional Tennis Association Certification.

“We are very excited to have Tim join the Coker Athletics staff,” said Director of Athletics Lynn Griffin. “He has a great deal of experience from the division I level to the junior level that should prove invaluable to helping raise the level of competition for the Coker tennis programs.”

Pleasant will have to hit the ground running when he arrives at Coker, but he will have some help with the return of First Team All-Conference performer Alyssa Blanchard on the women’s team and Third Team All-Conference selection Juan Vallejo-Gonzalez on the men’s team.

“I want thank Dr. Wyatt, Lynn Griffin, the athletic staff, and the tennis student-athletes for giving me the opportunity to coach the men's & women's teams,” said Pleasant. “I look forward to being a part of the Coker College community.”