Paul Koessler returns to his alma mater prior to the 2021 season as the Head Coach of the PLU men's tennis program.
Koessler returns to his alma mater with plenty of experience in the tennis world. He most recently served as the varsity tennis coach at Timberline High School in Boise, Idaho, guiding the Wolves’ girls team to IHSAA 5A state titles in 2016, 2018, and 2019 while coaching the boys to a third place showing at the 2019 IHSAA Championships. His stint at Timberline included an undefeated dual match season, winning the 16-team Tri-Cities Invitational, the 36-team Capital Invitational, and the eight-team Timberline Invitational. Koessler additionally also ran Koessler Performance Tennis in Boise in addition to coaching at Timberline.
"I’m extremely honored and excited to be named men’s tennis coach at PLU,” said Koessler. “I have great memories playing for legendary coach Mike Benson and with championship teammates. I look forward to working with the student-athletes and preparing to compete. It's a great day to be a Lute!"
Koessler is a USPTA Certified Elite Professional and has prior experience in the club tennis world, working at Seattle Tennis Club, Mercer Island Country Club, Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club, and Pacific West Tennis.
A 1986 PLU graduate with a degree in business, Koessler was a three-time All-Northwest Conference and All-District selection as a player, including earning NAIA All-American accolades in 1985. Koessler was the NWC Doubles Champion in both 1984 and 1985 and additionally played one season of basketball with the Lutes.
