TEMPE, AZ – John Peterson’s road to coaching was none other than unique, but one that yielded exceptional results. During his 24-year tenure as the head men’s and women’s coach at Tyler Junior College, Peterson won a combined 23 national championships (11 men’s, 12 women’s) and amassed a total career record of 828-189 (.814). Peterson served as the Tyler Junior College Athletic Director from 1995-2000 and also served on the ITA Board as a Junior College representative.
Prior to coaching the men’s and women’s tennis programs at Tyler, Peterson taught physical education and coached football, track, and eventually tennis at the middle and high school levels, securing five state championships in his eight-year tenure. His tennis journey was then spurred by a chance encounter with a track athlete’s inquiry about his tennis skills. It was then that Peterson bought an $11 racquet and from there, his passion for tennis ignited, propelling him to become a formidable force in the sport.
Initially hesitant to accept Tyler Junior College’s offer, Peterson eventually stepped into the role with determination stating, “I felt like I stepped into really big shoes.” Once at Tyler, Peterson did just that and did so by cultivating a culture of camaraderie and resilience.
Among a long list of awards and accomplishments, Peterson is a member of the NJCAA Men’s Tennis Hall of Fame, the NJCAA Women’s Tennis Hall of Fame, and is a 2007 inductee of the Texas Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame. In 2000, the ITA named Coach Peterson the Junior College National Coach of the Decade, the only coach named Coach of the Decade in both the men’s and women’s division.
Today, Peterson remains active in the tennis community and continues to support and follow Junior College teams. Although his passion for the sport remains steadfast, Peterson attributes his success and motivation to his family stating, “Tennis was great for me, my marriage, and my kids. Nothing in my life outside of my wife, Dorothy, my kids and grandchildren are as important to me.”
Peterson is also a member of the ITA Men’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame.
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