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It has taken Simon Thibodeau just three years to establish himself as one of the top coaches in Fresno State women's tennis history.
The list of milestones during his short tenure is already impressive: Three WAC titles; two appearances in the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament; three All-Americans who appeared in the finals of the NCAA singles and doubles tournament; the best year-end ranking in program history; a winning percentage of 75 percent while playing a schedule laced with some of the top teams in the nation.
The Bulldogs enjoyed the best season in program history during the 2003-04 term, as Thibodeau led Fresno State to a 22-4 record. The Bulldogs won the Western Athletic Conference title, reached the round of 16 at the NCAA Tournament and saw Jelena Pandzic advance to the final of the NCAA Singles Tournament - all in Thibodeau's first season.
The 2006 season proved nearly identical to that of the magical '04 run. The Bulldogs won their fifth straight WAC title, the third consecutive under Thibodeau. The Bulldogs went to Berkeley, Calif., for the NCAA Regional and beat Sacramento State and California, just as they did in 2004. This time it was not a singles player reaching the NCAA final, but doubles tandem Lucia Sainz and Katharina Winterhalter. Thibodeau's dynamic duo finished the season ranked No. 6 in the country with a Northwest Regional championship and appearances in the ITA All-American and NCAA Doubles finals.
In 2005, Thibodeau willed his team to yet another successful year. Despite being forced to deal with the eligibility issues of Pandzic that eventually ended her career and significant injuries to half of the lineup, Thibodeau still managed to craft his squad to a 16-9 record and a fourth consecutive WAC title. The Bulldogs also received a berth to the NCAA Tournament.
Players have received individual awards on an incredible level under Thibodeau. In 2004, Pandzic became the first player in Fresno State history to receive an individual national award when she was selected the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Rookie of the Year. She also was honored as the WAC Player of the Year and WAC Freshman of the Year. Last season, Melanie Gloria also earned both the WAC Player and Freshman of the Year awards.
Winterhalter, who ended her career with the second most singles wins in school history, was named All-WAC in singles three times and twice in doubles. Sainz, who completed her career with the sixth most wins in school history, was named All-WAC in singles twice and three times in doubles. Jacqueline Haskett earned first-team honors in doubles, while Magdalena Tokarska was named to the second-team in singles.
The Bulldogs' mastery of the Western Athletic Conference has continued, as well. Entering the 2006-07 season, Fresno State has won five WAC titles in a row (a new conference record), 15 consecutive league tournament matches and 24 straight over league opponents.
Just as impressive as Fresno State's on-court success has been the way his players have excelled in the classroom. During his first year, five of the team's top six players were named to the school's Dean's List for having a grade point average of 3.5 or above. Additionally, the Bulldogs received distinction as an ITA All-Academic team, awarded to those programs that achieve an overall GPA over 3.2.
In 2005, five Bulldogs achieved GPA's of 3.5 or better and were named to the Academic All-WAC team. In 2006 the Bulldogs again showed tremendous work ethic in academics. Haskett, Sainz and Winterhalter, along with Bruna Paes and Tinesta Rowe were named to the '06 Academic All-WAC team.
Thibodeau came to Fresno State from the University of Arizona, where he served as the assistant women's tennis coach from 2000-03. While there, he was fundamental in helping lead the Wildcats from a team whose national ranking was in the 50's to two NCAA Tournament appearances and a place among the nation's top 25.
In addition, from September to November in 2001, Thibodeau served as UA's interim head coach after the departure of Brad Dancer, who left to become Fresno State's men's tennis coach.
In 2002-03, Thibodeau's last at Arizona, the Wildcats climbed as high as 21st in the country. The Wildcats eventually reached the NCAA Tournament, where they lost in the second round. Several of the Arizona players, including nationally-ranked Dianne Hollands and Maja Mlakar, were recruited solely by Thibodeau.
A native of Repentigny, Quebec, Thibodeau was a national coach with the Canadian Tennis Federation from 1997-01, traveling around the world to tournaments and clinics. With the Canadian Tennis Federation, he supervised national training camps, coached members of the national junior team and assisted with the Canadian Federation Cup squad.
With the Canadian Tennis Federation, he coached such touring professionals as Helen Kelesi, Sonya Jeyaseelan, Renee Simpson, Marie-Eve Pelletier and Beier Ko. He also helped train Martina Navratilova.
Thibodeau received his bachelor's degree in science/physical activity from the University of Sherbrooke (Quebec) in 1997. With this background, Thibodeau owns extensive knowledge of physical conditioning, sport psychology and sports management.
