to become senior associate AD at New Mexico.

http://www.aggieathletics.com/pressRelease.php?PRID=11559

That is a tough loss, but I think Byrne can find the right fit to fill the void. Our recent success and the Mitchell Center, as well as other coming facility improvements, should help us recruit a top notch replacement.

Good luck coach! I know he can do it, but I just hope Byrne has enough time to find one.

Good luck to Coach Cass. He has really put A&M tennis on the map. He will be a tough act to follow.

I'd like to be upset he's leaving, but its just hard to be upset with him leaving for such an opportunity and given what he's done for A&M. Wish him the best and feel sure that, as said above, the administration and the resources A&M has will swing a very talented coach this way.

wow, he has done a great job for us. will be tought to replace, but it is a great job for a tennis coach.

Best of luck, coach.

Boris Becker available?

[This message has been edited by TexAgs staff (edited 7/18/2006 2:59p).]

Big loss to the program and A&M athletics in general. Cass was a class act and helped take A&M to the next level. He was a great recruiter and coach...

Although he will be missed, best of luck to him in his new endeavors!

[This message has been edited by GigEmAgz (edited 7/18/2006 9:11a).]

Hire Baylor's coach?

Cass did a tremendous job to put us on the map. However, we never seemed to break through. I kept thinking "this was the year" but we always stumbled.

Again, I think tennis is one of the most succcessful sports at A&M, but somehow we have not been a national power, just a national player.

Good Luck Tim. Thanks for setting us up for success.

There have been rumors for a few years that Baylor has been using questionable recruiting tactics in its tennis program. Not sure we want to take on a coach with that type of reputation....

He did a TON for our program here and will be missed. Good luck coach and thanks for the good memories!

First, I do not know the Tim or Laura Cass beyond just being introduced to them once a few years ago at a dinner.

But, I am afraid the last part of the story about Tim leaving may be telling. The part about Laura being sucked into the cesspool that is the continuous feuding over at the courthouse. Through no fault of her own that I can tell, she became a central figure in that sh-t storm. I would think a change of scenery would be very appealing to her.

Of the times I have spoken to Coach Cass he has been a very impressive, friendly, and sincere person. I said hello to him before a home football game and he proceeded to introduce himself to everyone in my group. Speaking directly to two teenager in the group. I can see why he had so much success with the tennis program. I wish him well in his new job.

Does a guy like Shuon Madden stand a chance of coming back to the program to lead it? Is he too young? He sure has the talent, knows the recruiting required, and is an Aggie. Just a thought.

[This message has been edited by TexAgs staff (edited 7/18/2006 2:57p).]

Cass was awesome!

Best wishes coach Cass! We will miss you. Thanks for your hard work and the higher level to which you took our program.

Thanks and good luck Coach!!

Want nothing to do with Baylor's coach, style or recruiting. We need a coach that will continue Cass' style and recruit strong from top TX and US players.

No indoor courts + little history and tradition + not an all foreign team= not a national power.

That said, losing Tim is a huge loss.

Candidates for new coach?

Agreed, Cass has been a great coach

http://www.aggiesports.com/stories/071806/tennis_20060718042.php

Here's a potential list some people made up. Anybody who actually knows something want to comment? I don't know enough to make an opinion except I don't like the idea of the Minnesota coach who was guilty of minor violations.

Hire me! That really hurts losing one of the top 5 coaches in the nation.

Names for coaches?

Brad Gilbert comes to mind.
Luke Jensen - he has been to A&M and met with the team

Brian Gottfried

Andre Agassi (available soon, right after the US Open)He might know a real good assistant coach (Stefi) or coach for the ladies team (we could get 2 for one maybe?)

Here are some additional names .....

Greg Patton- current Boise State coach. He has similar strengths as a promoter of tennis at the collegiate level.

Adam Steinberg- current coach at National Champion Pepperdine and former coach at Alabama.

Ty Tucker at Ohio State is red hot right now. However, he might stay put if the Buckeyes feel the need to match money in the case of him being a strong candidate.

Tim Seigel at Texas Tech is an excellent coach and was in the mix in 06.....Different AD today however....

ATM pays well and that will be the attraction for any coach. Actually, their pay scale for the tennis coach might be considered at the elite level. Top 10 type of money in fact. I anticipate great interest due to the fact there are a whole bunch of good coaches out there who will be looking to make a significant monitary jump. Those mentioned above are not at the elite level when it comes to compensation currently. ATM can change that.

I would also not be surprised to see a few coaches try to improve their position at their current schools if they get in the mix. It will be interesting to watch. It is very late for a coaching change to occur and it will stir stuff up.

Always good for college tennis.....

too bad great coach...Good Luck at NM...

good candidates, rik, patton, steinberg or tucker would be strong candidates.

he turned nm program around when he was there to. i was a ball boy for them when i was a kid. he is a great coach.

Patton would be good for A&M, but he has turned down Stanford in his past. He might see A&M as a good enough challenge. He does make champions out of average players.

He was definitely an asset to A&M Athletics.