Leander Resigns as Coach

Kerry Leander resigned Monday as boys’ and girls’ tennis coach at Capistrano Valley High for personal reasons. Leander, who coached the girls for 12 years and the boys for seven, becomes the third veteran South Coast League tennis coach to resign this season.

Dana Hills’ John Stephens and Mission Viejo’s Bill Smith have also resigned.

“It’s probably a time for a new era of coaches,” said Leander, who was the Times Orange County girls’ coach of the year in 1998.

In 12 seasons with the girls, Leander led the Cougars to 10 playoff berths, including four semifinal appearances and one final trip in 1998. His boys’ teams made the playoffs three times, including this season’s team, which is 12-2 and ranked seventh in Orange County.

Leander, who has a baby girl, said he simply wasn’t making enough money as a coach to provide for his family.

“They need to pay us coaches a heck of a lot more, as much time as we put in,” he said. “All of us do it because we love the sport. But now I have a family and the financial matters take precedent over that.”