The 2013-14 season marks the 33rd in which Rich Hills has been a head coach with the Point Loma tennis programs. He became the head coach of the men's team in 1982 and then took over the leadership of the women's team in 1990.
During his long and successful tenure, Hills has guided numerous squads to championships, winning a combined nine GSAC titles and five Region II championships for women. Both PLNU programs qualified for the NAIA National Championships for 13 consecutive years (2000-12).
Hills' record as a head coach at Point Loma is 708-546 (361-355 with the men; 347-191 with the women). Before coming to PLNU, he coached at Lewis-Clark State for two seasons. His overall coaching mark is 749-575.
Having also been selected as the Golden State Athletic Conference Head Coach of the Year a combined 12 times (eight women, four men), Hills can credit some success to his scouting ability since a total of 35 All-Americans have played for him over the years. In addition, his players have earned all-conference and all-region honors that are too numerous to mention.
An exceptional athlete, Hills played collegiate tennis and basketball for Northwest Nazarene and Point Loma Nazarene College (now PLNU). The Oregon native was a standout at South Eugene High School, where he earned all-state honors as a quarterback in football, and also in basketball and tennis.
He earned degrees in physical education and psychology from PLNC and a master’s degree in physical education from San Diego State in 1990.
Hills is a member of the Point Loma Nazarene kinesiology faculty and teaches a variety of classes, including outdoor adventures, surfing, tennis, football and rock-climbing. Hills also worked with the Point Loma men’s basketball team as an assistant.
Rich and his wife, Heather, have three children: Maggie, Haplain and Dakota. The Hills family live in Point Loma.
