Paul Xanthos, 85; College Tennis Coach Was Considered a Pioneer in Teaching the Game

Paul Xanthos, who considered himself a student of tennis but was best known as a master teacher of the game, died in his sleep Monday afternoon at his home in Hidden Hills. He was 85.

Xanthos, the men’s tennis coach at Pierce College in Woodland Hills for 30 years, last coached in 2005, having returned for one season at 84 after a five-year break.

“It was like having a legend sitting on the courts,” said Pierce Athletic Director Bob Lyons. “He had some limitations, but he had a lot of knowledge and stories to share. And he loved sharing them.”

He was considered a pioneer in teaching the game on a large scale, even by the U.S. Tennis Assn., which followed his lead in group instruction while building up its player development program in schools and communities.

Xanthos was presented the USTA Award of Merit in 1974.

Born on Poros Island in Greece, Xanthos immigrated to the United States with his family as a 2-year-old and grew up in East Los Angeles. He played tennis at Roosevelt High before earning his bachelor’s degree at Occidental College.

After taking over at Pierce in 1965, he led the Brahmas to 23 conference championships in 29 years before he retired in 1993, having earned respect and accolades in tennis circles worldwide.

“Everybody in tennis knows Paul Xanthos,” Lyons said. “He was an institution.”

Xanthos retired from Pierce in 1993 with a record of 550-94 but returned to the school twice for one-year coaching stints, in 1999 and last year.

Named the U.S. Professional Tennis Assn.’s coach of the year in 1994, he became the first junior college coach inducted into the Intercollegiate Tennis Assn. Men’s Collegiate Hall of Fame the same year.

He was named to the California Community College Tennis Coaches Assn.’s Hall of Fame in 2000.

Xanthos is survived by his wife of 30 years, Kiki Xanthos of Hidden Hills; a son, Paul Jr. of Irvine; and two stepchildren, Joyce Cowden of Newport Beach and Steve Buchwalter of Tarzana. Other surviving family members are brothers Pantele Xanthos of Arcadia and Pete Xanthos of Cypress; and a sister, Parry Pappas of Chino Hills.

A viewing is scheduled for 7 tonight at Bastian & Perrott Mortuary in Northridge. A funeral service is set for 11 a.m. Friday at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Northridge.