After leading the tennis team through 39 seasons and 1,134 victories — one of the most successful careers in the history of the sport — head coach David Elliott is on the road to retirement. He began coaching the men’s team in 1975, and coached the first ever Harding women’s team in 1991. During that time he never coached a losing season. Although he said he enjoyed his long, successful career coaching, he realizes it is time to move on.
“It’s been a long run and it was time, and I decided that this was the year to do it and felt like it was perfect timing,” Elliott said. “We think we’re leaving it in good shape and that’s certainly what I wanted to do.”
One of the main reasons Elliott has elected to retire is the stress that comes from coaching. He mentioned that coaching tennis puts a lot of pressure on the coach especially during matches. He said the anxiety resulted from the fact that once the match begins, there is really not much a coach can do but watch. He said most of the coaching must, therefore, be done in practice, in preparation for the matches.
The Harding coaching staff praised Elliott for his time and dedication to the sport.
“He’s just a great human being,” head track coach Steve Guymon said. “He’s been a great leader for the coaching staff here at Harding. I’ve been here 11 years and I think he’s been here a hundred and two or something like that.”
Elliott has been a motivator, friend and mentor to several members of the Harding coaching staff. Guymon said that regardless of Elliott’s retirement, he is glad that he is still going to be on campus and Guymon still intends to go to him for advice.
“We all get along and respect and care for each other,” Elliott said.
Athletic Director Greg Harnden had good things to say about Elliott .
“He’s done a great job for us for so many years, and he gets to retire and enjoy life, but, boy, it’s a huge loss,” Harnden said.
Although he is retiring, Elliott says he is not planning to leave the Searcy area. He said that he intends to remain and stay involved in Harding athletics. Elliott is and always has been – according to Guymon and Harndon – heavily involved in all the other sports.
“I’m kind of the young Dr. Ganus when it comes to supporting everybody,” Elliott said.
