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Frank Polito

Frank Polito

Frank Polito returns for his second season as an assistant coach with the Cleveland State men's and women's tennis teams during 2013-14, looking to continue the success of both programs from a year-ago. On the men's side, Polito helped guide the Vikings to their fifth NCAA appearance last season, coaching three All-League honorees - including First Team honoree Jorg van der Vloet. For the women, Polito helped lead the Vikings to their fourth straight semifinal appearance at the Horizon League Championship, while coaching three All-League honorees.

Polito joins the CSU coaching staff after a six-year stint as an assistant coach with the women's tennis team at Georgia. During his tenure, the Bulldogs posted an overall record of 139-29, won two regular season SEC championships, claimed three SEC tournament titles and advanced past the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament three times. Georgia also finished the year ranked in the ITA top-10 five out of his six years. For his efforts with the Bulldogs, Polito was named the 2008 Wilson/Intercollegiate Tennis Association South Region Assistant Coach of the Year, and promoted to associate head coach in September of 2010.

Prior to his time in Athens, Polito spent two years as an assistant coach at Kansas (2004-06) and two years in the same position at Ohio State (2001-03). With the Jayhawks, Polito's coaching and recruiting efforts helped make dramatic improvements on and off the court, culminating with ITA All-Academic Team honors and an ITA No. 59 ranking following the 2006 season. At Ohio State, Polito led the Buckeyes to a combined record of 31-19 and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2002, he was honored as the ITA Midwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year.

Polito also served as the head coach at Louisiana-Monroe (1999-2001), head coach at Akron (1997-99), assistant coach and interim head coach at Kansas (1996-97), head coach at Sienna Heights (1995) and head coach at Eastern Michigan (1990-95).

Polito is a 1990 graduate of Eastern Michigan, where he was a four-year letterwinner for the Eagles, and team captain during his senior year. The Lorain, Ohio native earned a bachelor's degree in telecommunications and film from EMU.