GOSHEN, Ind. - Veteran club and high school tennis coach Doug Gossman has been hired as the head of the Goshen College women's tennis program, Athletic Director Tim Demant announced Thursday.

Gossman, who has a track record of success at both the club and high school level, will become the ninth head coach in the 37-year history of the Maple Leaf program.  He takes over for Sarah Yoder, who resigned in January after four years at the helm.

"I am extremely excited to have Doug give leadership to our women's tennis program," said Demant.  "Doug is very well-known in the local tennis community and is highly regarded as a teacher of the game."

At the high school level, Gossman coached a total of 12 seasons and has landed his teams in at least the state semi-finals in 10 of those seasons.  Most recently, Gossman took the Northridge High School boys team to semi-state in 2008.  He has also led his squads to two Florida state championships in the late 1990's as well as taking Goshen High School teams to six semi-state appearances between 1995-2000.  Included in his 12 seasons, Gossman's teams have run through the regular season undefeated on nine different occasions.

"Doug's ability to not only teach tennis skills, but also the strategies and mental aspects of the game will greatly benefit our student-athletes," Demant added.

Gossman's experience beyond the high school level attests to his teaching ability.  Since 1999 he has been the head of the tennis program at Maplecrest Country Club in Goshen.  He has also served stints at the Somerset Hills Country Club, Warsaw Racquet Club, and with the Goshen Community Tennis Program.  Gossman's commitment to the game of tennis have allowed him to coach many of the top players in Northern Indiana, numerous who have received scholarships at all collegiate levels, and several players who have gone on to play professionally.

"While I have coached many players who have played in college," Gossman explained.  "I am looking forward to a new venue and to working with college level players who want to learn."

A graduate of Grace College in Winona Lake (Ind.), Gossman received bachelor's degrees in Business Administration and Education in 1991.

"It is a young team and we will work hard to get better," Gossman added, who will meet with the players several times this month before they depart for the summer.  "The girls will be mentally sharp, playing the smartest tennis they can play."