Thornqvist Ends 23-year Gator Tenure

”After 23 years it’s just time I think,” Florida women’s tennis coach Roland Thornqvist told WRUF’s Steve Russell after announcing earlier Monday his retirement with four national championships and 11 SEC regular season titles at the helm.

”Like (former UF basketball coach) Billy Donovan said, ‘you know when it’s time’ and I just felt right now is the time to do it,” said Thornqvist, whose retirement is effective immediately.

https://twitter.com/GatorsWTN/status/1843261188353990922

Thornqvist broke the decision of his departure to his team Monday morning. Associate coach Jeremy Bayon takes the role of interim while the Gators start the hunt to find a replacement.

Thornqvist, 54, won national championships in 2003, 2011, 2012 and 2017 and accumulated a record of 507-107 (winning percentage of .826). He also won 10 SEC tournament titles and coached six different Gators to nine SEC Player of the Year honors.

The Stockholm, Sweden native was named the 2011 Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Coach of the Year and is a five-time winner of the SEC Coach of the Year award.

Favorite Memories 

Thornqvist points toward the 2003 NCAA win against Stanford and Lauren Embree‘s infamous comeback against the Cardinal in 2011:

Future Plans 

Thornqvist said he doesn’t rule out another coaching role:

Changes in Athletes

Thornqvist notes ”that book is thick” in response to whether athletes’ attitudes have changed during his time coaching Gators tennis:

Winning Mentality 

Thornqvist’s thirst for winning is what brought him to UF when Hall-of-Fame coach Andy Brandi resigned in 2001:

Championships https://t.co/ZvGDOF5KiS

— roland thornqvist (@RolandTFlorida) June 18, 2024

Right Time

While admitting his decision was more on the ‘abrupt’ side, Thornqvist always intended that the future of the program was left in good hands:

Upon Thornqvist’s exit many will look with admiration for his contribution to the Gators.

“The University of Florida is incredibly grateful to Roland, who has had a remarkable tenure in Gainesville … We will always appreciate the lasting impact he’s made on and off the court for the student-athletes,” UF Athletic Director Scott Stricklin said.

Thornqvist will go down as one of the all-time greats in Gator coaching.