Two days after the women’s tennis team finished its most successful season in 12 years, Meghan McMahon ’87 resigned from her position as Yale’s head coach Monday.
She cited her responsibilities to her two young children and her desire to spend more time with them as the motivation behind her decision.
“I hope the team understands,” McMahon said. “I didn’t make the decision because I wanted to leave the team. I made the decision because I had to be with my family.”
McMahon coached the Bulldogs for seven seasons, guiding the team to an 82-52 record. This year’s team finished second in the Ivy League with a 6-1 record. The players were shocked by the announcement but supported and praised their former coach.
“She’s one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met and is the ultimate coach,” Susie Hinker ’02 said. “It’s an enormous loss, not only for the tennis team, but for all of Yale.”
McMahon said she does not know who will replace her, but she is on the search committee for a new coach.
“I promised [the players] I would get them someone competent and caring,” McMahon said. “It won’t be hard because this is one of the best coaching jobs in the country.”
McMahon earned All-Ivy honors three times as a player for the Bulldogs. She was also named Yale’s Most Valuable Player twice. She came back to New Haven in 1994 to take over the head coaching position at Yale.
McMahon quickly found success, improving the team from 8-8 to 12-6 after two seasons. The team has won 11 or more games each of the past four years.
“Meghan has been probably been the most formative influence on me so far at Yale,” Andrea Goldberg ’02 said. “I have learned more from her about dignity, class, sportsmanship, and how to compete than I have from anyone.”