UCLA Tennis Coach Bassett Will Retire After 27 Years

Glenn Bassett, the nation’s winningest active NCAA Division I men’s tennis coach, 568-89-2 overall in dual matches in 27 years at UCLA, said Wednesday that he will retire in order to take advantage of a special retirement program.

Bassett will serve as coach during the 1993 season under a special agreement. Judith Holland, UCLA associate athletic director, said she expects to hire a new coach to take over the program July 1.

Bassett, 65, has led UCLA to seven NCAA team championships, 13 conference championships and has never had a losing season. He has coached three NCAA singles champions, four NCAA doubles team champions and 46 All-Americans.

“I don’t feel like I’m ready to get out, I really don’t, but they gave us five years (to add to his retirement program) so it’s pretty tough to turn that down,” said Bassett, adding that he might consider coaching at another school next season.

Last season, the Bruins finished 21-5 overall, 8-2 in the Pacific 10 Conference, and reached the semifinals of the NCAA tournament.

Bassett played No. 3 singles for UCLA from 1948-50. He helped the Bruins to the 1950 NCAA title, UCLA’s first team championship in any sport.

Bassett’s head coaching career began in 1960 at Santa Monica High, where he led the Vikings to five consecutive CIF Southern Section championships.