A Ph.D. in chemical engineering, a sports physiology degree and a scuba-dive-master are just a few of the accomplishments that fills Doug Eng's whopping nine-page resume. Simply put, Coach Eng is not your average tennis coach.
Eng has coached the men's and women's squash teams at Tufts for a decade, but this season, Eng will make even more of a mark on the Tufts athletics scene as he takes over head coaching duties for the women's tennis team.
Eng is replacing Jim Watson, who had previously coached both the men's and women's tennis teams but will coach only the men this spring.
Eng has now spent 23 years roaming the halls of Tufts and probably has opinions about every Jumbo related issue. Coaching one team a year is enough of a challenge, no less coaching three in two seasons.
Eng, who graduated five beta kappa from Tufts University, was on his way to spending his life in academia. After earning a degree in Chemical Engineering and History, Eng went on to earn a PhD in chemical engineering from Tufts. After receiving the degree, he decided to enroll in a BU sports physiology program.
Eng began coaching squash at Tufts 10 years ago and his chemical engineering career has probably been put aside for good in favor of a life of coaching.
"Coaching is definitely challenging, a lot harder than academia. I am one of those few who [can] compare the two and the job of a professor is much easier." Eng said. "As a professor you can just give your lecture and go home, you do not have to worry about things such as classroom chemistry."
Eng has become accustomed to coaching three teams in two seasons.
"Its like mind over matter," Eng said. "I am always looking forward to that break. If I get one day off a month, I feel like a free man."
Eng will bear the responsibility of continuing the dominance of a traditionally strong women's tennis program. His track record with the squash program, which he has fostered over the past decade, is promising. Over the past several years, the squash teams have consistently increased their national standing.
With Eng's background in sports theory and psychology and his fascination with people relations, it is only fitting that the win and loss record comes second.
"The most fun moments are when the team really gets along. When this happens, it just becomes a blast to coach a team each day." Eng said.
Eng inherits a tennis team this spring that is coming off a strong fall season, and should only grow stronger with the return of juniors who were abroad. If Eng is able to apply the same appreciation for teamwork and improvement that has characterized his career as a squash coach, the tennis team should have no problem continuing its strong showing on the NESCAC and national scenes.
