University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee Mourns the Passing of Mike DePalmer Sr.
January 09, 2020 | Men's Tennis
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Former Tennessee men's tennis coach Mike DePalmer Sr. passed away Thursday in Knoxville. He was 86.
DePalmer led the Vols' tennis program for 14 seasons from 1981-94 and was named National Coach of the Year in 1990 after leading Tennessee to a 34-1 record and its first appearance in the NCAA Final.
The Westport, Conn., native won SEC Coach of the Year in 1986 and 1990. He is the winningest coach in program history with a 299-119 record and a 97-55 mark in SEC play.
Under his leadership, UT won three SEC titles and made six appearances in the NCAA Tournament. The Vols also earned 21 All-America honors, 25 All-SEC honors and 20 Academic All-SEC accolades.
"We're tremendously saddened to lose such a loved member of our Tennessee family," UT Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer said. "I always admired Mike's spirit and passion as a coach. He had a real toughness and edge to his personality—in a wonderful way. He made an everlasting impact on Tennessee tennis, and he'll certainly always be remembered and revered."
DePalmer's 1990 squad was arguably his best team on Rocky Top and still holds several program records, including most wins in a season (34), most consecutive wins (34) and highest winning percentage (.971). It was also the first team to reach the No. 1 national ranking in program history.
That team advanced through the regular season undefeated and finished a perfect 9-0 in the SEC en route to the regular-season conference title before hosting and winning the SEC Tournament. Those Vols topped the national rankings and were the top seed in the NCAA Tournament, reaching the finals before falling to Stanford in the championship match.
In 1993, DePalmer coached current Tennessee head coach Chris Woodruff to the NCAA Singles National Championship. Woodruff remains the only Vol to win the NCAA singles title.
"I am deeply saddened at the passing of my coach, mentor and friend Coach DePalmer," Woodruff said. "I cherish the memories I have of playing for him here at Tennessee and it is an incredible honor to follow in his footsteps in leading our Tennessee men's tennis program. The impact he made on the lives of his players is immeasurable and we all will continue to carry his memory and the lessons he taught us in our hearts and minds forever."
DePalmer retired from UT after the 1994 season.
His legacy lives on through his family and former players, many of whom have gone on to greatly impact the tennis community.
DePalmer started a family legacy at Tennessee as his son, Mike DePalmer Jr., was a two-time All-American for the Vols, while daughter, Michelle DePalmer, was an All-American on the women's team in 1981. His grandchildren, Rhyne and Caitlyn Williams, also played tennis for Tennessee. A two-time All-American, Rhyne went on to win the 2010 USTA/ITA National Indoor title and reach the singles final at the NCAA Championships in 2011.
Prior to coming to Tennessee, DePalmer co-founded the DePalmer-Bollitieri Tennis Club in Bradenton, Fla., with Nick Bollitieri. The club is known today as world-famous IMG Academy.
DePalmer has been inducted into the ITA Hall of Fame, the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Tennessee Tennis Hall of Fame.
Arrangements are being handled by Click Funeral Home.
DePalmer led the Vols' tennis program for 14 seasons from 1981-94 and was named National Coach of the Year in 1990 after leading Tennessee to a 34-1 record and its first appearance in the NCAA Final.
The Westport, Conn., native won SEC Coach of the Year in 1986 and 1990. He is the winningest coach in program history with a 299-119 record and a 97-55 mark in SEC play.
Under his leadership, UT won three SEC titles and made six appearances in the NCAA Tournament. The Vols also earned 21 All-America honors, 25 All-SEC honors and 20 Academic All-SEC accolades.
"We're tremendously saddened to lose such a loved member of our Tennessee family," UT Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer said. "I always admired Mike's spirit and passion as a coach. He had a real toughness and edge to his personality—in a wonderful way. He made an everlasting impact on Tennessee tennis, and he'll certainly always be remembered and revered."
DePalmer's 1990 squad was arguably his best team on Rocky Top and still holds several program records, including most wins in a season (34), most consecutive wins (34) and highest winning percentage (.971). It was also the first team to reach the No. 1 national ranking in program history.
That team advanced through the regular season undefeated and finished a perfect 9-0 in the SEC en route to the regular-season conference title before hosting and winning the SEC Tournament. Those Vols topped the national rankings and were the top seed in the NCAA Tournament, reaching the finals before falling to Stanford in the championship match.
In 1993, DePalmer coached current Tennessee head coach Chris Woodruff to the NCAA Singles National Championship. Woodruff remains the only Vol to win the NCAA singles title.
"I am deeply saddened at the passing of my coach, mentor and friend Coach DePalmer," Woodruff said. "I cherish the memories I have of playing for him here at Tennessee and it is an incredible honor to follow in his footsteps in leading our Tennessee men's tennis program. The impact he made on the lives of his players is immeasurable and we all will continue to carry his memory and the lessons he taught us in our hearts and minds forever."
DePalmer retired from UT after the 1994 season.
His legacy lives on through his family and former players, many of whom have gone on to greatly impact the tennis community.
DePalmer started a family legacy at Tennessee as his son, Mike DePalmer Jr., was a two-time All-American for the Vols, while daughter, Michelle DePalmer, was an All-American on the women's team in 1981. His grandchildren, Rhyne and Caitlyn Williams, also played tennis for Tennessee. A two-time All-American, Rhyne went on to win the 2010 USTA/ITA National Indoor title and reach the singles final at the NCAA Championships in 2011.
Prior to coming to Tennessee, DePalmer co-founded the DePalmer-Bollitieri Tennis Club in Bradenton, Fla., with Nick Bollitieri. The club is known today as world-famous IMG Academy.
DePalmer has been inducted into the ITA Hall of Fame, the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Tennessee Tennis Hall of Fame.
Arrangements are being handled by Click Funeral Home.
Everything Orange S2 | Shunsuke Mitsui (Men's Tennis)
Thursday, May 08
MTN | Johannus Monday Tennessee Tribute
Friday, June 21
MTN | Chris Woodruff Media Availability (5.14.24)
Tuesday, May 14
Everything Orange | Johannus Monday (Men's Tennis)
Thursday, May 02
