College of the Desert Women's Tennis has hired Bruno Jaeger to helm the Roadrunners program.

"My goal for the COD women's tennis team is to be a strong contender with talent garnered from Coachella Valley area high school tennis teams," commented Coach Jaeger. "If additional players are needed, then we must go outside to Southern California to recruit. We can also offer opportunities for international players to compete for COD."

Coach Jaeger has been a full-time teaching professional in Palo Alto since 2006.  His playing experience includes a USTA 6.0 (Open Class) ranking in the United States Tennis Association (USTA) while participating in USTA sanctioned tournaments during the 1980's and 1990's. He played #2 singles and #1 doubles for California State University, Sacramento and #5 singles and #1 doubles for Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill. At DVC, Mr. Jaeger was the team captain and most valuable player with a team leading 18-2 singles and 17-3 doubles record in his final year.

"I should make every effort to introduce Coachella Valley area high school athletes to our campus and the athletic program," Coach Jaeger said in a recent interview with COD Athletics.com. "With regards to tennis, the head coach needs to travel to the high schools and invite potential future COD team players to come for "Meet the COD Team" afternoon. They will quickly get to know a few players and the head coach. A scrimmage or just a casual hit should define the visit. COD team players need to be encouraged to participate in the recruiting effort as well. Recruiting should be extended to junior tournament players in and outside the Coachella Valley. Junior players can be as young as 15 when they are approached and invited to come visit the COD tennis program and team."

Coach Jaeger's many years of teaching experience include not only in the Bay Area but various coaching positions in Massachusetts, the State of Washington and the Caribbean. In 1979, Coach Jaeger was the youngest tennis professional in the United States Professional Tennis Registry organization's history to receive the highest certification (Professional 1).

"The women's tennis team at COD will challenge players to go beyond their current level each and every day. Training will be robust and competitive.  Focus and preparedness will dominate the practices. Individuals will soon become team players enjoying the opportunity to play hard, all the while enjoying the process," commented Coach Jaeger.

Coach Jaeger's teaching philosophy is to encourage players to train properly.  He believes in building strokes that will only be limited by the student's passion for the game and their practice schedule. A player's strokes should still pressure opponents when used from behind the court, changing to an attack strategy when transitioning into midcourt and then comfortable placing a controlled volley to finish the point. Once the season of competitions begin, match play strategies and the mental part of the game become the main focus. He resides here in the Coachella Valley with his wife of 40 years, Dorothy Jaeger.

"Coaches can impact players most before, during and after matches. We all can train hard on ball machines and drills in practice sessions. Grinding out close matches, coming from down in the score, playing harder when ahead or quickly getting over tough losses are some of the treasures coaches can offer younger individuals to grow as players and life in general," continued Coach Jaeger.

Follow COD Athletics on Twitter @COD_Athletics Instagram @COD_Athletics or Facebook @College of the Desert Athletics

For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information, Story & Photos provided by COD Sports Information.