Dick Leach (2003) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Dick Leach

Induction:
2003
Class:
1961

Dick Leach had a storybook career as USC’s men’s tennis coach, culminating in a national team title in his last match. In his 23 years (1980-2002), he led the Trojans to 4 NCAA championships (1991-93-94-2002) and 7 Pac-10 crowns while winning 80% of his dual matches (535-133). A 3-time National Coach of the Year (1987-91-2002) and 5-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year, he produced 2 NCAA singles champions and 3 NCAA-winning doubles teams. He coached both of his sons at USC: Rick, a 4-year All-American who is a member of USC’s Athletic Hall of Fame, and Jon, a 2-time All-American who was a member of his father’s first 3 NCAA titlists. His 2002 squad became the lowest seeded team (at No. 11) to win an NCAA title and did so less than a month after Leach announced his retirement. He also lettered 3 years (1959-60-61) in tennis at USC under George Toley (1959-1961) and earned All-American third team honors in 1961. He then became a high school coach, a tennis pro and an owner of tennis clubs. He continued to play competitively during his USC coaching career, winning 14 national father-son titles. He died on Oct. 10, 2023, at age 83.