BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

When Jeff Thomsen received the news he felt excited and nervous, but overall, he became anxious to start his new job as University of Miami women’s tennis assistant coach.

Thomsen, a Newport Harbor High product, who recently coached men’s tennis at Orange Coast College and had also coached the Sailors’ boys and girls teams, is leaving in two weeks to start his new job.

“It’s a big step up but it’s everything I ever wanted,” Thomsen, 30, said. “It’s been a long time coming. It’s everything I wanted.”

Thomsen heard about the opening with the Hurricanes from his first tennis coach, Rance Brown, who’s now an assistant for the UCLA women’s tennis team.

Earlier this month, Thomsen went to Miami for a three-day interview and on July 9, he was offered the job.

“I’m just really looking forward to the opportunity to challenge myself,” said Thomsen, who also coached at Palisades Tennis Center in Newport Beach. “I know men and women are different. It’s going to be a big challenge with these girls; they expect a lot.”

Last year, the Hurricanes reached the NCAA quarterfinals and featured Audra Cohen, who won the NCAA singles championship. She has since turned pro, Thomsen said.

Thomsen coached Newport Harbor’s junior varsity girls’ team the past five years and also coached the men at Orange Coast. Last year, OCC finished third in the Orange Empire Conference.

For those interested in applying for the position at OCC, contact the Pirates’ athletic director Barbara Bond at (714) 432-5766 or at bbond@occ.cccd.edu.

— Steve Virgen