Tennessee Tech dismisses tennis coach Dan Silverstein
June 9, 2009

Tennessee Tech dismisses tennis coach Dan Silverstein

Tennessee Tech University has terminated the employment of head tennis coach Dan Silverstein, an action that occurred following a visit from a National Collegiate Athletic Association staff member at the initiation of the Athletics Department.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech University has terminated the employment of head tennis coach Dan Silverstein.

The action occurred Monday following a visit from a National Collegiate Athletic Association staff member who came to the Tennessee Tech campus at the initiation of the Athletics Department.

Tech Athletics officials discovered a potential problem,reported it to the NCAA and requested assistance. The NCAA sent an enforcement representative from the Agents, Gambling and Amateurism staff, who was at Tech last Wednesday.

“At our request, an NCAA staff member visited our campus to assist us in gathering information regarding a possible NCAA issue,”said Director of Athletics Mark Wilson. “After additional information was considered, we decided to terminate coach Silverstein’s employment for a number of reasons, including suspicion of sports wagering. We have no indication that any of these activities involved Tennessee Tech athletic events.”

The decision to dismiss Silverstein was made at Tennessee Tech’s discretion and not at the direction of the NCAA.

“We concluded that this issue is an isolated incident related to coach Silverstein and does not involve student-athletes or other members of the Tennessee Tech Athletics staff,” Wilson said. “There is no evidence that any other NCAA rules violations occurred, and this does not affect the eligibility of Tennessee Tech’s student-athletes.

“We will file a joint report with the NCAA Enforcement Staff. We are confident there will be no further NCAA action taken againstTennessee Tech Athletics after submission of this report.

“The actions we have taken have been swift and appropriate, and we have provided all information to the NCAA,” Wilson said.

Silverstein served one season as head coach of the Tech men’s and women’s tennis teams. His men’s team finished 2008-09 with a 12-8overall record, including a 6-2 mark in the Ohio Valley Conference. Thewomen’s team was 7-10 overall and 6-3 in the conference.

“Tennis is important to Tennessee Tech, and we will begin a national search immediately for a new tennis coach,” Wilson said. “We want to assure our student-athletes, fans, alumni and supporters that we will find an outstanding coach."