UNLV fires veteran men’s tennis coach Larry Easley

Dean Juipe

Wednesday, June 25, 2003 | 9:54 a.m.

Accepting his early dismissal from UNLV, Larry Easley said Tuesday he would likely pursue a second career as a history teacher for the United States Department of Defense.

Easley, 54, was relieved of his duties as men's tennis coach by interim athletic director Fred Albrecht. He had one year remaining on his $63,000-per-year contract, which UNLV will honor.

"To tell you the truth, this is kind of a nudge to get me out of here and to my real love, which is history," Easley said. "I could see it coming."

Easley coached the Rebels from 1992 through 2003, compiling an overall record of 141-120. His teams won three conference titles and he was a four-time conference coach of the year.

He also produced an NCAA singles champion in Luke Smith in 1997, and is a past chairman of the NCAA Division I, II, III tennis committee.

His program's overall grade point average of 3.74 is, he says, the highest for any sport in UNLV's history.

"I coached tennis to make a living, but I was never really happy here," Easley said. "I've been here 12 years, maybe that's time enough."

He leaves with two daughters, Tina, 21, and Lisa, 19, who are UNLV students. The sisters sang the national anthem at a UNLV basketball game last season.

Easley underwent replacement surgery on his left knee last year and has also had a minor battle with skin cancer. While he said he could remain in tennis if he so chose, he thought he would use this opportunity to seek an overseas teaching position with the Department of Defense.

"I'm a veteran, I've got friends from tennis around the world and the U.S. needs history teachers on its bases in places like Germany and Japan," he said. "No matter where my next job might take me, I'll have friends."

A graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Easley coached Long Beach State for three seasons and had the No. 2-ranked team in the nation in 1987. He left that position to accept one in business before coming to UNLV in 1991.

The Fertitta Tennis Complex was built on campus during his coaching tenure.

"I think I definitely brought the program forward while I was here," he said. "I feel I've done a good job."

The school did not immediately announce a replacement.