Boys’ Tennis Coach at University High Resigns

Gary Sisel has resigned his coaching position at University High School after 18 years as the school’s first and only boys’ tennis coach.

Sisel, 45, said his decision wasn’t prompted by any dissatisfaction.

“It’s just been a heck of a lot of fun,” he said. “I thought it was time for me to move on.”

Under Sisel, University had qualified for the Southern Section playoffs 18 consecutive seasons. Sisel said one of his biggest thrills came when the Trojans won the 5-A championship in 1987. They stopped a 69-match winning streak by Santa Barbara in the championship match.

Sisel will be replaced by Josh Davis, a Latin teacher at the school who also coaches the girls’ junior varsity tennis and basketball teams. Davis has also assisted the boys’ tennis team for two years.

Sisel will continue teaching Spanish and physical education.

Mike Bova, who served as Sisel’s assistant coach for 12 years, also resigned. The two have applied for the open position of golf coach.

“We’d like to take over the golf program and see if we can bring it to the level we did in tennis,” Sisel said.