Men’s tennis: OCC’s Gillis to step down

Tony Altobelli

COSTA MESA - Former longtime Orange Coast College men’s basketball

coach Tandy Gillis is retiring from his position as men’s tennis coach

after seven seasons.

Gillis, known mainly for his 16 years as the Pirates’ hoops coach,

posted a 244-228 (.517) record at OCC. He helped guide the Bucs to a

state championship in 1978-79.

“Tandy has been a part of OCC for a long time now,” Athletic Director

Jane Hilgendorf said. “He and I have become good friends and I have a

tremendous amount of respect, both as a coach and as a person. Sometimes,

it’s just time to move on. I wish him nothing but the best.”

Prior to his tenure at OCC, Gillis was the boys basketball coach at

Corona del Mar High for eight seasons. He helped guide the Sea Kings to

four league championships, including Irvine League titles in 1970, ’72

and ’73.

Gillis’ 244 wins is the most in school history and he is a member of

the California Community College Hall of Fame.

Following his 16 seasons as the men’s basketball coach at OCC, Gillis

was “reassigned” to men’s tennis, where he has coached since 1992.

To get back into the basketball world, Gillis has been helping out

Coach Jerry Hernandez at Irvine Valley College for the past couple of

seasons.

“It’s just time to move on,” Gillis said. “The (Coast Community

College) District made me an offer and I would be a fool not to take it.

I’ll still help out over at IVC and I’ve put some feelers out at some

four-year schools, so we’ll see what happens.”

Before his coaching career began, Gillis was a member of Pete Newell’s

University of California’s 1959 national championship team. He was a

starter on the 1960 squad that reached the championship game.

Following his playing career at Cal, Gillis coached basketball at

Cathedral High in Los Angeles before spending time in France as a coach.

The Pirates will be accepting applications immediately for the

walk-on, part-time men’s tennis coaching position.

The men’s tennis season gets underway in mid-January and those

interested should call Hilgendorf at (714) 432-5766 or (714) 432-5122.