Russ Bechtelheimer coached his last football game at El Dorado in 1995. Thursday at Lake Hamilton, Coach Bech will return to the coaching ranks, this time as El Dorado’s tennis coach.
“They had an interim coach last year. I helped them out during the year. They were short. They knew I was certified so they asked if I’d help. I thought it was going to be just the first semester but it was the whole year,” Bechtelheimer said with a laugh. “So I helped them out there. I knew they were looking for somebody to help in tennis and I said, ‘Sure, if y’all can’t find anybody I’ll jump in there and do it.’”
Bechtelheimer played tennis for two years at Southern Arkansas University.
“I played tennis for SAU back in the late seventies for Dr. Carter so I have some experience. I played football in the fall and then in the spring he asked me to come out and play. So I played two years for him. I have a background.”
So far, Bechtelheimer said he’s enjoying his return to coaching after a 29-year hiatus.
“I’m excited. I have a great bunch of kids. It’s fun.”
El Dorado’s roster features 23 girls and 9 boys and a lot of inexperience.
El Dorado girls include: Daphny Chen, Avelyn Chen, Sidney Johnson, Kelly Hayden, Keona Candley, Harper Allen, Natali Alvarado, Zoe Edmonds, Saralin Hale, Audrey Henderson, Claire Herman, Rebekah Ibert, Amelia Johnson, Emma Kelley, Kaylee Pepper, Aspen Preston, Sara Robbins, Makaylah Smith and Zoey Walker.
The boys’ team includes: Jordan Coleman, DeJordon Burns, Carter Brooks, Drew Moree, David Valero, Chet Passmore, Noah Johnson, Henry Huang and Hayden Craig.
“I think we’ll be alright. I have four senior boys who are going to play my singles and doubles. I think we’ll be good in singles for sure and doubles also. On the girls’ side, I have three strong senior girls,” said Bechtelheimer.
Sidney Johnson will play No. 1 singles with Sara Robbins at No. 2 singles for the Lady Wildcats. Daphny and Avelyn Chen return as the top girls’ doubles team.
“My girls’ number two team, I’m trying to find it. We’ve got a few groups,” he said. “I think we’ll be real competitive on the girls’ side.”
For the Wildcats, Drew Moree will play No. 1 singles with Jordan Coleman at No. 2 singles. Noah Johnson and David Valero play No. 1 doubles with juniors Henry Huang and Chet Passmore at No. 2 doubles.
The team has practiced from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. every morning for the past four weeks.
“I am having fun,” said Bechtelheimer. “One thing I do with them is we hit a lot of tennis balls. I am their ball machine. I started with the basics with the grips and how to hit a forehand and backhand and volley and serving. We’re going to try to be a little more aggressive playing doubles. We’re going to be up at the net trying to take care of the ball early instead of just hanging back.”
So, he’s not just driving the bus?
“No, I’m coaching. Plus, I’m driving the bus, too,” he said with a laugh.
The last time Bechtelheimer coached a team, he could be fiery, loud and sometimes a bit ornery. How has his coaching style changed over the years?
“I have a granddaughter who’s in ninth grade but she’s in Katy, Texas. I’m kind of looking at these kids and girls like I’m coaching my granddaughter. How would I want to treat my granddaughter? That’s how I want to treat these kids.”
So far so good for El Dorado, which opens the season Thursday at Lake Hamilton. Bechtelheimer said his return to coaching has been fun.
“They have great attitudes. They take coaching well because every time they hit the ball, I am critiquing them and showing them. Everybody wants to get better. It’s a good group,” he said.
“We go to Lake Hamilton Thursday so I guess we’ll find out real quick how we stack up with everybody in our conference.”