A little more than a month before the season is set to begin, the Free State Firebirds learned who their boys tennis coach would be this spring.

Free State athletic director Mike Hill announced Wednesday that FSHS had hired John Richey as its new boys tennis coach.

Richey, who played his high school tennis in Wichita, played collegiately at Baker University. After his eligibility expired, Richey went on to coach at Baker as an assistant.

Hill said the school was excited about its new addition.

“His experience, having been at the collegiate level, was attractive to us,” Hill said. “And we think he’ll be good with the kids and will do an excellent job.”