WICHITA, Kan. -- A former All-American and professional tennis player turned highly-regarded assistant coach will look to continue his progression as head coach at Wichita State. Interim Athletic Director, Darron Boatright announced Friday that LSU assistant Danny Bryan will take over the Shocker men's tennis program.
 
"I'm grateful for the leadership and direction provided by [WSU Associate AD] Brad Pittman during the search. The more he and I learned about Danny, the more excited we became," Boatright said. "He's a natural leader, motivator and teacher who has thrived in a number of roles. He comes from a long line of tennis coaches, and his experience, character, vision and goals made him an easy choice to lead our men's tennis program."
 
Bryan carved out a legacy over the course of 13 seasons at LSU -- as a player (2003-07), a student-assistant (2007-08), and most recently as the Tigers' full-time assistant coach (2008-16).
 
In eight seasons on the LSU staff, Bryan – the 2013 Southern Region Assistant Coach of the Year -- worked with 10 ITA All-Americans, 14 All-SEC performers, and one SEC Player of the Year. The Tigers won at least one NCAA Tournament dual in six of his seasons and posted four top-30 finishes.
 
In addition, LSU student-athletes performed well in the classroom, with 13 earning Academic All-America status and two earning post-graduate scholarships. Bryan was also a tireless promoter of LSU tennis, helping the program crack the top-10 in the national attendance charts in back-to-back years (2014 and 2015).
 
"I would like to thank Darron Boatright and Brad Pittman for giving me this amazing opportunity," Bryan said. "I am extremely excited to start working with the team to build on their past successes. My family and I are looking forward to joining the Wichita community and Shocker Nation."
 
On the court, Bryan ranks among LSU's all-time wins leaders, amassing nearly 200 singles and doubles victories, while leading the team to three top-15 finishes. Bryan was twice voted team captain and - as a senior - climbed as high as No. 3 in the national doubles rankings and No. 32 on the singles chart on his way to All-American status.
 
Bryan's relentless work ethic extended beyond tennis and into the community, helping earn him a long list of honors, including the 2007 National Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award and the 2007 LSU Male Volunteer of the Year Award. That drive also made him a natural choice to join the LSU staff once his playing days were finished.
 
Following a summer on the ATP tour and a semester as a student-assistant, Bryan was elevated to full-time assistant status for the 2008-09 season and quickly developed a reputation for one-on-one mentorship. In one of his first tournaments, he coached standout Michael Venus to a championship round victory at the ITA All-American Championships.
 
Tennis runs through his veins, passed down through his father and three uncles that played collegiate tennis, as well as a grandfather that played on the pro circuit.
 
Bryan earned his bachelor's in General Studies from LSU in May of 2008, with a concentration in Business, Psychology and Communications. He married former LSU gymnast Jade Jenkins on Jan. 2, 2010, and the couple has one son, Parker (5).
 
Bryan replaces Brad Louderback, who stepped down earlier this month after seven seasons with the program.
 
About WSU men's tennis:
Winner of an all-time best 25 Missouri Valley Conference Championships, WSU (17-11 in 2015-16) swept the 2016 conference regular season and tournament titles and advanced to NCAA Tournament play for the first time since 2013. The Shockers finished the year at No. 63 in the final Oracle/ITA Division I Rankings. The doubles duo of sophomore Miroslav Herzan and freshman Haru Inoue earned a No. 79 final ranking, and senior Tin Osotojic (ITA No. 103) qualified for the NCAA Individual Championships for a second-straight year.
 

---

>> The Bryan File:
Birthdate: Dec. 15, 1985
Birthplace: Lafayette, La.
Alma Mater: LSU '08
 
>> Coaching Experience:
2016-Pr. – Head Coach, Wichita State
2008-16 – Assistant Coach, LSU
2007-08 – Student Assistant, LSU
 
>> Playing Experience:
2008 – ATP (Professional)
2003-07 – LSU
 
2x -- Team Captain – 2006, 07
4x -- Varsity Letterman – 2004, 05, 06, 07
1x -- ITA Doubles All-American – 2007
2x -- All-SEC – 2006 (2^nd Team), 2007 (1^st Team)
1x -- SEC Indoor Champion – 2007 (Doubles)
3x -- ITA First-Team All-Louisiana – 2005, 06, 07
 
1x -- ITA National Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership & Sportsmanship Award
1x -- LSU Male Volunteer of the Year – 2007
3x -- SEC Community Service Team – 2005, 06, 07