Dejan Stankovic Named Interim Men's Tennis Head Coach
January 14, 2014 | Men's Tennis
Jan. 14, 2014
BOSTON - Dejan Stankovic, former assistant coach of four America East champion Boston University women's tennis teams from 2007-12, has been named interim head coach of the men's tennis team, Director of Tennis Lesley Sheehan announced Tuesday afternoon. Stankovic replaces Rick Edelmann, who resigned back in December to pursue other opportunities.
"I am excited that Dejan will be leading the men's tennis program," said Sheehan. "He is an amazing coach and mentor and knows what it takes to be successful. His background in sports psychology and biofeedback also made him a top candidate for this position. He has coached NCAA tournament players, and I have no doubt he will coach this team to the next level."
Upon graduation from St. Bonaventure in 2007, Stankovic joined the women's tennis staff as a graduate assistant under Sheehan and would help guide the Terriers to four America East titles and four NCAA tournament berths. He left after the end of the 2011-12 season to focus on his doctoral program in sports psychology at BU.
"I'm excited to rejoin the Terrier tennis program this year," said Stankovic. "This is the team's first season in the Patriot League, and I'm looking forward to working with a talented group of men who are motivated to succeed."
In 2008-09 with his help recruiting and coaching, the BU women finished 59th in the nation after defeating three nationally-ranked teams. TennisRecruiting.net ranked each of the team's recruiting classes in its top-25 mid-major poll, highlighted by two-time America East Player of the Year Stefanie Nunic ('12).
Stankovic received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from St. Bonaventure in May of 2007, graduating magna cum laude. While at BU, he earned a master's degree in the School of Education in counseling with a focus on coaching and is now in the final year of the doctoral program.
A four-year letterman with the Bonnies, Stankovic was twice named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week. He finished in the top three every season and also represented St. Bonaventure at the ITA Regionals.
A full search for the next BU men's tennis head coach will conclude at the end of the season in late spring. The Terriers will return to action from winter break on Sunday, Jan. 26, at home against Fairfield.
