This week the Virginia Cavaliers men’s tennis team won their third consecutive NCAA title and fourth in the past five years. It was Brian Boland’s last game coaching the Hoos, as the longtime coach accepted a position at the USTA Player Development as the Head of Men’s Tennis. During his 16 years patrolling the courts at Snyder Tennis Center, Boland’s teams amassed a 453-58 record, including 12 ACC titles to go along with the 4 national titles.
Does this impressive record make him the best coach in the history of UVA Athletics? Here’s how he stacks up to the competition:
Virginia Cavalier Coaching Greats
Coach | Brian Boland | Bruce Arena | Dom Starsia |
---|---|---|---|
Coach | Brian Boland | Bruce Arena | Dom Starsia |
Sport | Men's Tennis (2002-2017) | Men’s Soccer (1978-1995) | Men’s Lacrosse (1993-2016) |
All-Time Record | 453-58 | 295-51-31 | 274-103 |
ACC Regular Season Titles | 13 | 10 | 10 |
ACC Tournament Titles | 12 | 6 | 6 |
NCAA Postseason | 14 in 16 seasons | 16 in 18 seasons | 21 in 24 seasons |
NCAA Semifinals | 10 | 7 | 13 |
NCAA Titles | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Honorable Mentions:
- Brian O’Connor - Won UVA’s first and only baseball title, and has made the NCAA postseason in each of his 14 seasons at the helm.
- Terry Holland - Led Virginia to its only two men’s basketball Final Four appearances, and only #1 AP ranking.
- George Welsh – Took UVA football to its first-ever bowl game and 11 others, including the program’s only #1 AP ranking.
Of course, there are any number of other factors to be taken into account when crowning the greatest coach in Virginia history. How many people make it to the pros in the sport, also factoring the importance of the pros in that particular sport? Who has the longest ACC win streak across any sport? What are the player graduation rates? Wins and titles, though, will always be king.
How do you think Boland stacks up against these other legendary coaches? Did I leave any of your favorites out?