Ed Steele has been coaching tennis for over three decades, all along the East coast. He began his coaching career in New Hampshire in 1978. Since that point, Steele has coached in New England, Florida, New Jersey and most recently North Carolina.
He took over the Salem College tennis program in the spring of 2015 and helped the team to the Great South Athletic Conference Tournament. The Spirits would conduct a 5-0 sweep in the opening round over Wesleyan (Ga.) before falling by the same margin to UC-Santa Cruz in the semifinal round.
In his five years at the helm of the Salem tennis program Steele has guided the Spirits to at least five victories. His best season came in 2017-18, when the Spirits claimed seven wins, including four in USA South Conference action. The 2019-20 season was off to a great start for Steele, whose team owned a 3-1 mark through fall play, but COVID-19 halted spring play before it even began.
Salem's 2019-20 slate included a three-match winning streak over Ferrum (6-3), Hollins (7-2) and Guilford (5-4) in late September and early October. Steele began his career at Salem with a 6-8 mark in 2015-16. He followed that up with six wins in 2016-17, posting consecutive wins over Greensboro (Feb. 28) and Mary Baldwin (March 10).
The 2017-18 spring schedule began with three straight wins for the Spirits against Wesleyan (March 3 / March 4) and Mary Baldwin (March 10), resulting in seven victories. The 2018-19 schedule drew to a close with five wins for Salem, including consecutive wins over Guilford (March 16) and Hollins (March 17) in the opening month of spring play.
Steele graduated from Georgetown College (Ky.) with a bachelor of science in zoology. From there he went to earn a master's degree from Nova Southeastern (Fla.) in Teaching Speaking of Other Languages. He also holds a USPTA Level Two coaching license.
In a recent conversation Steele took time to discuss his passion for tennis, coaching and the trek that brought him to Salem and provided the following responses:
Describe the coaching path that has brought you to Salem.
Steele: As I look back at my tennis journey, it started in middle school, playing junior tournaments, then college and eventually tour events that would expose me to a whole different approach to the game. I would later coach players for the same road that I followed as a professional tennis player.
I've had great success in my camps with several players going on to college and professional status. Many years have been spent in country clubs on the East Coast from Florida to Maine. Now I am a Salem College head tennis coach.
When you think back to learning tennis at a young age to where you are now (coaching it at a college level), what fundamentals do you focus on every day in practice and during the offseason to better the players?
Steele: Tennis is a sport that requires you to keep in shape physically and mentally. A player that hits the ball daily is going to be better than an occasional player. Fundamentals are key to prevent injury.
Who are the individuals that have had the biggest impact on you as a coach and why?
Steele: My grandfather was my first and most important role model. Bill Tym and Ron Vignari in the USTA were also a big influence which gave me the drive to excel and teach others.
At what point of your life did you know that you wanted to be a tennis coach and what led you to making this decision?
Steele: Soon after the professional tour circuit, the constant grind and time to set up travel, lodging etc. it was much easier to coach and stay at home.
You form a tremendous bond with your players both on and off the court. How has this led to the success of the Salem tennis program?
Steele: Players need to have trust in you as a coach. We need to work on skills that need to be honed and made a strength. At the same time we need to keep it fun. We are a team and as such we play and practice hard and cheer and encourage each player to be their best.
During the offseason what techniques do you focus on in order to help the players to improve their shots and defensive positioning?
Steele: The players have the seven most important shots to practice on the court. They are encouraged to stay in shape by running, gym workouts and cycling. Cardio is an important aspect as tennis can be played later in life.