Men’s Tennis: Just Another Day At The Office For Cajuns Coach Mark Jeffrey

Match day more than just serve and volleys for ninth-year coach 

By 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns men’s tennis coach Mark Jeffrey is grocery shopping at Albertson’s on Johnston St. He picks up a couple of dozen bananas, some oranges, a few boxes of power bars, several bottles of energy and sports drinks.

His Ragin’ Cajun netters will need (and appreciate) Jeffrey’s diligence when they get set to face Incarnate Word in a 1 p.m. match at Cajun Courts.

Before that match begins, the ninth-year head coach will have phoned the team’s racquet stringer to confirm those duties are completed; he has phoned his Marketing contact to discuss any special promotions scheduled; he will have touched base with the match officials to confirm they are on their way; he will have gotten the tennis balls and equipment ready for his team; he will have set up the scoreboard and make sure that is functioning; and last but not least, he will have gone through his notes on both his own team as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent.

At 11:30 a.m., he is retrieving something from his car. His stride is strong, quick, and purposeful as he crosses the parking lot adjacent to the Culotta Tennis Center.

A bystander addresses Jeffrey.  "Good morning Coach," says the bystander.

"Pardon me?" replies Jeffrey.

"Good morning," the bystander repeats, and adds, "what’s up?"

Shaking the bystander’s hand, Jeffrey continues his march.

"I don’t talk much on match day," is Jeffrey’s reply.  He pauses briefly before adding, "until after the match."

With that exchange completed, he climbs the stairs and disappears into his second-floor office in the building overlooking the six courts and adjoining grandstand and bleachers;.

At straight up noon, Jeffrey emerges and steps onto the courts. It is safe to say he still has his game face on.

Jeffrey’s team begins their warm-ups. It is also safe to say each of the eight Ragin’ Cajun netters exchanging ground strokes have their games faces on as well.

On courts 1, 3 and 5, the players wordlessly follow their coach’s lead. An occasional "come on boys" or "let’s go Cajuns" is all that is heard.

On courts 2, 4 and 6, the Cardinals from San Antonio, Texas, go through their own pre-match preparation with little verbal exchange.

Jeffrey observes his team. Sophomore Arthur Libaud from France removes his headphones as the coach approaches. The two exchange comments and Jeffrey moves on from court to court, offering advice, direction, and encouragement. Libaud puts his headphones back on.

Two of the match officials make their way to Jeffrey, converse briefly, and move on.

Jeffrey exchanges his lineup with the opposing coach.

The steady "thump, thump, thump" of racquet meeting ball seems to be in rhythm with the music blaring from the grandstand’s sound system

"Oh, oh, oh–sometimes I get a feeling."  Flo Rida gets it right.  The feeling is one of chillness.

At 12:30 p.m., the mood changes and intensifies. As the sun makes it first real appearance of the day, both the air and feeling heat up.

Silent warm-up drills become grunting, full blown rallies, as players exchange volleys, groundstokes, overheads, and serves.

"Come on guys," encourages Jeffrey. His Cajuns players respond with enthusiasm and animation. Jeffrey claps his hands and looks at this watch. It is 12:35 p.m.

At 12:45 p.m., fans begin tricking into the facility. "They look peppier today," comments one Cajun fan.

He is right. Sluggish the Cajuns are not.

At 12:50 p.m., Jeffrey brings the scorekeeping devices to their proper places on the three doubles courts.

At 12:55 p.m., the doubles lineups are announced over the PA system. The match officials take their places atop the chairs on each court.

The Cajun team huddles in a team chant, runs a couple of wind sprints, the Ragin’ Cajun fight song is played, and at 1 p.m., the match begins.

Things are quiet no more. What follows is part collegiate tennis, part WWE experience.

Calls of, "break on one, boys" and "set on three boys," are accompanied by shouts and screams as the ebb and flow of outstanding shot making by both teams exemplifies the character and ability on display by these collegians.

Over the next two hours, Jeffrey observes each match, both in doubles and the six singles matches that follow. He is not unlike Mark Hudspeth or Bob Marlin, offering direct coaching instructions as needed, communicating encouragement, clapping his hands, discussing close line calls with match officials.  

He is coaching the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns men’s tennis team.

Eventually, Jeffrey and his team secure the 123rd win of his career. Louisiana blanks UIW, 4-0, to win its eighth straight match after dropping two of its first three in a tournament at nationally-ranked Florida State.

Jeffrey’s day is not quite over. His team eats at Jason’s Deli and by 4:30 p.m., he is back at the tennis complex. He makes sure the cameras recording each match functioned properly.  He sends the match results to the International Tennis Association.

Finally as the 5 p.m. hour approaches, his work is done for the day. Super Bowl Sunday awaits Mark Jeffrey.

So, too, does Monday practice in preparation for an upcoming Saturday, February 10 match against Sun Belt Conference member Georgia State at 2:30 p.m. back at Cajun Courts.

If you want to talk to Jeffrey, you’ll most probably find him that Saturday morning in the produce section of Albertson’s. Just don’t expect him to be too chatty … until after the match.

He has work to do.