To the entire Texas A&M Family:
I am certain that the words in this letter will fall hopelessly short of conveying exactly what I feel as I leave this great University and Athletics Department. Nor will this letter sufficiently thank or give credit to everyone in Aggieland that has left such an indelible mark on my life and career.
To leave no room for ambiguity: A large part of my decision to leave has everything to do with my private life. Aside from my passion for my career, at 43 years old it is time to make room for the opportunity to have a meaningful private life, relationship, and even a family. The chance to pursue this critical element makes moving to Austin an obvious choice.
I have many people to thank…
I want to thank Eric Hyman for helping shape and mentor me in a way that allowed my career to flourish. Eric’s smarts and generosity as well as his love for intercollegiate athletics and the students goes way beyond the scope of this letter. In Eric, Texas A&M has a leader that has and will continue to prioritize the things that really matter.
Marcy Girton has been my supervisor for the bulk of my time in Aggieland. Without her mentoring, intelligence and calm, Texas A&M Women’s tennis could not have reached the heights it has over the past few years. Not only has Marcy been a source of strength and an exemplarily role model for me, but she is the epitome and perfect example of what our young ladies ought to be striving toward. Texas A&M is awful fortunate to have Marcy Girton on its team!
To all of the 12th Man. The passion and the class with which you all support our students is an example to all communities throughout our country. The 12thMan is strength and teamwork personified.
And onto the most gut wrenching part of this decision. The Aggie Women’s Tennis team and my associate Head Coach:
To my great friend and Associate Head Coach Mark Weaver: The richness of the experience that we are able to afford our players at Texas A&M has everything to do with how classy a person you are. Texas A&M University has profited from your lifetime of service as a student, an athlete and now as a Coach.
To the ladies of the Texas A&M Tennis Team: Any opportunity or praise that I have benefitted from is the result of your success, your hard work, and the class that you all exude in everything you do!
Lastly, to the entire athletic Department at Texas A&M: Thanks for four of the best years of my career. What a kind group of people. I have been so lucky to have worked alongside you to serve the students and athletes here in Aggieland. You will all be missed!
Sincerely,
Howard Joffe
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Howard Joffe was named the Texas A&M women’s head tennis coach in July 2011. The 2014 ITA Texas Region Coach of the Year produced an ITA All-American in each of his four years at Texas A&M and led the Aggies to at least the NCAA Championship round of 16 and a top-10 final ranking in each of the last three seasons, including an all-time high No. 3 final ranking in 2013 after stunning the tennis world with a first-ever appearance in the NCAA Championship finals.
Joffe, whose 2013 team also captured Texas A&M’s first Southeastern Conference regular season championship in any sport, is 131-61 (.682) in his eight-year head coaching career. He produced an impressive 83-23 (.783) record in his four seasons at Texas A&M while playing an excitingly challenging schedule that resulted in a 13-10 record against Top 10 opponents.
Read the Texas press release on Joffe’s hiring here.
JOFFE’S COACHING RECORD AT TEXAS A&M
— Overall — —– Conference —- Final ITA
Year W-L Pct. W-L Pct. Finish NCAAs Ranking
2012 19-6 .760 7-2 .777 T-2nd Second Round #17
2013 26-4 .867 12-1 .923 T-1st Finals #3
2014 21-7 .750 10-3 .769 5th Round of 16 #9
2015 17-6 .739 11-2 .846 T-2nd Round of 16 #10
Overall Conference
W-L Pct. W-L Pct. NCAAs
Career Totals (8 years) 131-61 .682 58-28 .674 10-6 (NCAA tournament)
A&M Totals (4 years) 83-23 .783 40-8 .833 10-4 (NCAA tournament)
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics