Former University of Florida All-American Mark Merklein, perhaps the most decorated men’s tennis player in UF history, is returning to Gainesville as an assistant coach, head coach Bryan Shelton announced on Friday. Merklein will join Shelton and volunteer assistant Scott Perelman on the Gators’ coaching staff beginning this summer.

THE MARK MERKLEIN FILE
Born: June 28, 1972
Hometown: Coral Springs, Fla.
College: University of Florida (1991-94)

Coaching Experience:

University of Florida (Volunteer Assistant), 1998-2000

USTA Player Development Center (Head Coach), 2006-11

University of Michigan (Assistant Coach), 2012-13

Coaching Highlights
Former head coach of USTA Player Development Center in Boca Raton, Fla. (2005-11)
Coached men's tennis pro James Blake (ranked as high as No. 4 in the world) for two years

Playing Career Highlights
Played in 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games (Bahamas)
ATP Tour Professional (1994-2005)
Bahamas' Davis Cup team (1999-05)
NCAA Doubles Champion (1993)
NCAA Singles Champion (1994)
Four-time NCAA All-American
1994 SEC Player of the Year
Inducted into University of Florida Hall of Fame (2005)