Open Letter: A Message From Bryan Shelton

I would like to thank my wife Lisa for all the love and support she has provided to me and our family throughout this journey. Lisa has been our rock and so much of our success stems from her tireless dedication, wisdom and especially her faith. Her example has inspired our family to always strive to treat others with respect and to make the most of the gifts God has given us. I would also like to thank our two children, Emma and Ben. They spent so many hours at the Ring Tennis Center and their passion for the game and commitment to the process allowed me to balance family and my job at UF in a very special way. God has blessed our family in so many ways.

I am humbled to have worked at the University of Florida over the past eleven years. Jeremy Foley gave me a chance to do something that most coaches in this industry would never have the chance to do. Jeremy and his staff believed that I was the right person to help lead this program and I am so grateful for the opportunity. I am also thankful for Scott Stricklin, our current athletic director, who has navigated this athletic program so well through some very challenging times. I have had the pleasure of working with the best administrators in the business and their support has been amazing. 

I have worked with some incredible assistant coaches throughout these eleven years and together we have enjoyed the process and each coach has made me better and our program better. Scott Perelman has been by my side every step of the way and his passion for people, life and winning has been infectious. The passion that he brings every single day is unmatched and has created a joyous atmosphere full of enthusiasm. Mat Cloer is certainly a great coach and an even better person. Mat’s attention to detail and his knowledge of the game and what it takes to be successful is just part of what makes him special. Kate Harte, our Director of Operations has been by my side and a huge part of so many important decisions that shaped the trajectory of this program. 

I would like to thank all of the student athletes that have always strived to become better and in the process made all of us better. I have been privileged to work with these young men and to witness their growth throughout my time here. These young men have succeeded in the classroom and on the court. They have learned from their mistakes and taken confidence through their successes. The humility, resilience and grit they have shown in the face of adversity has inspired me every single day to become a better man and coach. I know that is a byproduct of their parents and how they were raised, so thank you parents.

I would also like to thank our phenomenal support staff. So many great people have contributed to our success over these eleven years and their dedication to the process and their dedication to the University of Florida has strengthened our culture and allowed us to constantly move forward. Their level of commitment is why the University of Florida is such a special place. I have worked alongside the greatest head coaches on the planet and have learned so many great lessons through our collaboration together. Jeremy and Scott have assembled the best coaching staff in the nation and I am so thankful to have been able to sit at the table with these great women and men.

Gator Nation, you have given my family a home here in Gainesville. The love and support we have felt from day one has been amazing. The standard of excellence and your commitment to this place is what drew us here. Thanks for always honoring that commitment. Being able to join the most elite program in the nation was a dream come true. To those coaches and players that came before us, thank you for paving the way and inspiring all of us and teaching us to respect this university and this tennis program. We are forever grateful! 

As we journey forward, Lisa and I are looking forward to spending more time with our family.  We certainly wish everyone here at the University of Florida the very best and continued success.

Go Gators!