Equipped with great coaching experience, Ken Whitmer returned to his alma mater as an assistant women’s tennis coach in the fall of 2016.  In addition to coaching the Bulldogs, Whitmer serves as a math teacher at nearby Redlands East Valley High School.

Whitmer completed his Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education at the University of Redlands in 1980 as a four-year competitive tennis player under then-Head Coach Jim Verdieck.  Whitmer contributed to the team's four-straight conference titles with unblemished records each season.  In addition, he was part of the squad that won the 1979 NCAA Division III Championship and then backed that up with the 1980 NAIA National title.  During the early years of NCAA Division III, the Bulldogs also took on formidable foes in the NAIA and NCAA Division I, including USC, UCLA, and others. 

Furthermore, Whitmer earned ITA All-America honors in consecutive seasons while also capturing the 1979 NCAA Division III Doubles Championship with teammate Mike Capaluto.

He later went on to earn his Master of Education in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific University.

Since then, Whitmer has put together a successful teaching and coaching career, with various stints at San Gorgonio, Redlands, and REV high schools.  Beyond tennis, he has coached badminton and basketball.

He currently shares his expertise and enthusiasm by serving on the CIF Advisory Committee for both girls’ and boys’ tennis.

Overall, he has more than 35 years of coaching tennis to offer the Bulldogs.  He is thrilled to be back on Verdieck Courts and at the U of R.  He strives to provide creative coaching approaches and techniques so as to help players of all levels show improvement.  He is very committed to advancing the sport of tennis while contributing to the student-athletes’ success, both on and off the court.

In his spare time, Whitmer enjoys lawn bowling with his dad, reading, and playing tennis.  He currently lives in Redlands with his wife Jennifer.