Women’s Tennis Head Coach Per Nilsson has left Pepperdine. He announced his departure Oct. 29, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
After 11 seasons for the Waves, Nilsson is coaching the Gators as the Women’s Tennis head coach at the University of Florida.
“It has been a dream to work at Pepperdine,” Nilsson said. “Leaving this incredible place is nothing short of bittersweet. Words cannot express the gratitude and appreciation I have for this school, the program and, most importantly, the incredible individuals I have had the privilege to work with.”
In 2014, Nilsson succeeded former Head Coach Gualberto Escudero, a now Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee (‘13). Escudero led the Waves to 24 West Coast Conference titles out of 27 possible opportunities, and his successor displayed much of the same success.
Across 10 completed seasons, Nilsson recorded an impressive 221-48 dual-match record, good for a .815 winning percentage. Over the past decade, the Waves have ranked in the top 10 seven times, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
Nilsson will exit Pepperdine with an impressive resume, 10 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, three ITA Southwest Regional Coach of the Year honors (’17-’19) and six WCC Coach of the Year nods (’15-’18, ’21, ’24).
During his tenure, the Waves were runners-up in the NCAA National Championships in ‘21, and in ‘24, he led the club to the program’s second-ever semifinal appearance — the last accomplished in ‘23. The Waves won almost every WCC title, including eight regular-season titles and eight tournament championships.
He is responsible for recruiting professional and Olympic athletes, such as Ashley Lahey, Mayar Sherif and Luisa Stefani, and he led eight Waves to the WCC Player of the Year and seven Waves to the WCC Freshman of the Year award.
“I am grateful for the support and encouragement I have received from President Jim Gash and former Athletics Director Steve Potts,” Nilsson said. “It has been unparalleled. The entire athletics department from staff to coaches and, of course, the players all played a vital role in our successes. Under the leadership of visionary President Gash and the strong guidance of our new athletic director Tanner Gardner, Pepperdine has many incredible things in store.”
Adam Schaechterle, Men’s Tennis head coach, will serve as the interim head coach.
“It is hard to walk away from all they have planned,” Nilsson said. “This decision was excruciatingly difficult. I am not just leaving a job, I am leaving family and a piece of my heart will always remain in Malibu. Thank you, Pepperdine, for everything.”
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