Former Fort Mill Boetsch coaches at Clemson

John Boetsch, a 2000 graduate of Fort Mill High, is now an assistant coach for the Clemson University mens tennis team.

Boetsch, who was an assistant at the University of Louisville for one season, said he is excited for the chance to return to his home state and help lead the Tigers program.

Clemson finished last season with a 15-20 record, but struggled in the ACC, winning just one of 12 matches and finished in last place in the league. Boetsch said he thinks that the turnaround has already begun.

"John is one of the most positive and passionate young coaches in college coaching today," Clemson head coach Chuck McCuen said in a statement released by the university. "Not only that, he is a Clemson man whose blood runs orange! It is a privilege to have such a person on our staff. I look forward to working with John for many years to come."

The Tigers, ranked 68th in the country, kicked off their fall season two weeks ago.

"This is the hardest working group of players that I have ever been a part of," Boetsch said. "My main goal is to try to work hard in practice and be the best team that we can."

The Tigers are counting on two international players to lead their team; Rok Bizjak from Slovenia is the number one singles player and Bolivia's Carlos Alvarez earned the number two singles spot.

Boetsch said he wants to help restore the rich tradition the Tigers' tennis program has enjoyed. Last season Clemson suffered many untimely injuries that contributed to the sub-par record. This year, Boetsch is hoping to get his team in better shape mentally and physically.

"They have to believe that they can improve," Boetsch said. "We can't control the wins and losses or injuries. We can control how we attack practice every day; working hard, conditioning and working in the weight room."

The Tigers have hired sports psychologists to meet with the team once every week, and a nutritionist to work the team once a month.

"We have a big program with 11 players and we are trying to give them the resources to help make them successful," Boetsch said.

Boetsch is also working on attracting today's prep players to Clemson.

"I want to try to bring enthusiasm and do the best job that I can from a recruiting standpoint," Boetsch said. "I want to make junior tennis players aware of Clemson and really put the [Tiger] name out there."

Boetsch, who said he returns to Fort Mill as much as he can, still has family in the area. He credits his parents with being supportive and helping him accomplish all that he has achieved so far in his life.

In addition, he credits his coaches along the way for giving him the tools that he needs to be successful in his life and as a coach himself. Bill Schillings, Boetsch's mentor and his coach at Fort Mill, Willie Wair, have inspired him and taught him about the game. Now Boetsch wants to pay it forward and have that kind of impact on some of the Clemson players.

"I am blessed to have a great family and great coaches along the way," Boetsch said. "I am not underestimating this position, and I want to do my best."

Boetsch said that down the road he hopes to one day become a head coach, but for now he is content with helping the Tigers become a better team.

"I am extremely excited about the team," Boetsch said. "I want to work hard for the program and do the best that I can."

A 2004 graduate of Clemson, Boetsch was a two-time co-captain and helped lead the Tigers to the NCAA quarterfinals in 2004. As a junior, Boetsch was an All-Atlantic Coast Conference first team member. He earned his bachelor's degree in business marketing.

Residents of Anderson, Boetsch and his wife, Catherine, have a 16 month-old son, Anderson.

This story was originally published September 24, 2008 at 3:08 PM with the headline "Former Fort Mill Boetsch coaches at Clemson."