Southeast Missouri State declines to renew tennis coach Elliott's contract

Mark Elliott thought the long-struggling Southeast Missouri State women's tennis program was on the verge of a breakthrough.

Elliott won't be around if that anticipated surge comes to fruition.

Elliott was notified Thursday that his contract would not be renewed after six seasons as the Redhawks' coach.

"I had no idea," Elliott said. "I was pretty shocked."

The 65-year-old Elliott, a former professional who played in Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and Australian Open, went just 27-93 overall and 12-44 in Ohio Valley Conference play as Southeast's coach.

While Elliott didn't want to offer excuses, Southeast women's tennis is not nearly as well-funded as most of the OVC programs.

The Redhawks were 5-12 overall and 2-7 in OVC play this year while featuring no seniors in the lineup. Five of their losses were by one point.

Elliott said for the first time during his Southeast tenure he was going to be able to put six players, which makes up a lineup, on some form of scholarship aid for next season.

"We were so close this year," Elliott said. "If we win a few of those one-point matches and make the OVC tournament, maybe I'm still here. We're going to have another good player coming in next year. We'll be so much stronger."

Elliott, who led Southeast to an OVC tournament berth in 2007 during his first year, recruited and coached the program's first OVC freshman of the year, Elizabeth Nyenwe in 2011.

"It's a shame to be moving on, but I really enjoyed my time at Southeast," said Elliott, a California native. "I wish all the best for the girls and for the new coach. I think they can have a good team next year."

Southeast officials said a national search for Elliott's replacement will begin immediately.

"We have decided to take our tennis program in a different direction," Southeast interim director of athletics Cindy Gannon said in a release. "I want to thank Mark for his service to Southeast Missouri State University and wish him well in any future endeavors."