Sept. 9, 2007

The following article was posted on Bob Larson's TennisNews.com.

After eight seasons with the UCLA men's tennis team, assistant head coach Jason Sher will get the opportunity to lead his own program, as he was named head coach at nearby Loyola Marymount University on Thursday. Sher, who earned ITA National Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2001, served as head coach Billy Martin's lead assistant from 1999-2007.

"It has been an unbelievable eight years coaching here at UCLA," said Sher, who begins his post at LMU immediately. "Coach Martin and I have shared some special moments on the courts, and I want to thank him for his friendship and guidance over the years. I have so many incredible memories as both a player and coach here at UCLA. I will always have a special bond with the Blue and Gold."

Sher spent a total of 12 years in Westwood as both a player and coach. He lettered at UCLA from 1990-93, helping the Bruins to three third-place finishes at the NCAA Championships. He compiled an overall singles record of 101-21, including and 86-13 mark in dual-match play. He owned the highest winning percentage on the team in three of his four seasons.

As a coach, Sher helped the Bruins enjoy some their most successful seasons in program history, highlighted by the school's 2005 NCAA Championship - the program's first title since 1984. UCLA also reached the finals in 2004, never finishing out of the top 5 at the NCAA Championships. Sher was also instrumental in helping UCLA claim five Pac-10 titles, including four in a row from 2004-07.

"We're obviously sad to see Jason leave because he has meant so much to our program," said Martin. "But on the other hand I'm tremendously happy that he has earned a head coaching position and I know he will do a fantastic job at LMU. He has all the tools to be a successful head coach and build a winning program. We've been lucky to have him for eight years."

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