photo by: Richard Gwin

New Free State High girls tennis coach Keith Pipkin gives tips to his players on the first day of practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, at FSHS.

After coaching at his alma mater for one season, Free State High tennis coach Keith Pipkin is leaving for another opportunity to coach where he played.

Pipkin on Monday was named the head men’s and women’s tennis coach at Baker University, where he graduated from in 2011.

Michael Trujillo, who was the team’s assistant coach last season, was chosen as Free State’s interim coach for the upcoming girls season.

“I’ll tell you what though, all I’m thinking is I’m excited for the job but at the same time, it’s kind of sad that I could only spend one year at Free State,” Pipkin said. “I didn’t get the opportunity to really grow it my way. But I trust that Michael is going to keep it going. Luckily, they got someone like him to fill the job.”

During his one season at Free State, Pipkin helped two FSHS girls doubles pairings and five boys qualify for the Class 6A state tournament. As a team, the girls placed 10th in state last year and the boys finished eighth.

“I don’t know if I can take any credit for that,” Pipkin said. “That was (former coach Oather) Strawderman’s team. He had spent a good three years with most of them.

“We accomplished a lot. It was a successful season, no doubt. But I’m not one to take credit for something like that. I do enjoy the way they played for me. It was fun to see.”

Trujillo coached alongside Pipkin last season and the two have worked together at the Jayhawk Tennis Center.

Free State athletic director Mike Hill said the timing was “challenging” for applications, interviews and background checks before practice begins Monday. Trujillo will serve as the interim coach throughout the fall and a formal application process will begin following the season.

“For Keith to be able to return to his alma mater and take a college job, that’s a great opportunity for him,” Hill said. “We’re happy. He did a tremendous job for us, even though it was one year. Michael was with him through that process so we’re confident he will be able to do a good job with the girls this fall.”

Pipkin said he’s looking forward to watching how his former players perform throughout the upcoming year.

“They are going to peak,” Pipkin said. “They are definitely going to do good this year, I know it. I was with most of them over the summer and they were working really hard. I’m not the happiest in only seeing that they worked so hard, I wanted to see how they could do during the high school season. But hey, the opportunity came knocking to coach another alma mater, so I had to take it.”