Laszlo Leiter - Head Coach - Staff Directory (2024)

Francis Marion University director of athletics Murray Hartzler announced on Tuesday (June 25) the hiring of 2002 FMU graduate and former Patriot tennis All-American Laszlo Leiter as the University’s new head coach for men’s and women’s tennis.

Leiter, 47, takes over the reins from Jay Evans and becomes the 10th head coach in the history of the men’s program and the 13th head coach in the history of the women’s program. Both programs started in the inaugural year of the University and first competed in 1971.

Leiter comes to FMU after six years as the head tennis professional with the city of Florence.

"I am incredibly honored and excited to join the Francis Marion family,” Leiter said. “I look forward to the opportunity of working with our talented student-athletes, building a strong and competitive team, and contributing to the program's legacy. With dedication and hard work, we will achieve great things.

"I also want to express my sincere gratitude to (FMU president) Dr. (Fred) Carter and Murray Hartzler for entrusting my alma mater’s program into my hands."

“We are very excited to have one of our own join the FMU athletic family in the capacity of head coach,” Hartzler said. “He is already familiar with the University and the Florence community, and he returns to a campus where he excelled on the courts as a player. During the search, his coaching skills stood out as qualities that will enrich our two squads, and help lead us to challenge for the conference title and NCAA Tournament appearances.”

A native of Budapest, Hungary, Leiter competed in ITF Futures and ATP Challenger events before playing for the Patriots between 1999 and 2002 and recording a 61-34 singles record and a 68-18 doubles mark. He ranks first in program history in doubles wins and winning percentage (.791), second in singles wins, and 12th in singles winning percentage (.642).

He earned All-American honors in 1999 and was named to the All-Peach Belt Conference Team as a senior in 2002. He garnered NCAA Division II individual national rankings of No.50 in singles (13-9 record) as a senior; No.27 in singles (22-9) as a junior; No.23 in singles (8-9) as a sophom*ore; and No.16 in singles (18-7) as a freshman.

He helped lead Francis Marion to a four-year combined record of 66-27 with four trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a pair of Sweet 16 appearances. The Patriots earned end-of-the-year national team rankings of No.12 in 2002, No.9 in 2001, No.6 in 2000, and No.12 in 1999. The 1999 squad shared the Peach Belt Conference regular-season title.

After earning a B.S. degree in business administration (management) in 2002, he began working as a tennis professional. In a more than 20-year coaching career, he worked for private clubs, a tennis academy, and most recently with the city of Florence. He developed multiple high-level tournament and college players.

Leiter is PTR Level II certified and previously held certification as a USPTA Elite Professional and as a tournament director, official, and referee.

He has published a book entitled “Professional Tennis Drills.”

(6-2024)