Spring Arbor University

After 42 years as the head coach of the Spring Arbor University men's tennis team, Terry Darling announced he will be passing the along to his son, David Darling, who currently serves as SAU's Director of Tennis and is the head coach of the women's team.

Darling had served as the men's tennis head coach since 1980. A graduate of Spring Arbor University in 1978, Darling was also a member of the men's tennis team for four years while an undergraduate.

"Playing tennis as a student at Spring Arbor College from 1975-78 under Coach Charlie Carey was a rich and rewarding experience that helped me to develop as a Christian man," said Darling. "When I got the incredible opportunity to become the head coach of the men's tennis team at the tender age of 23, I saw this as an amazing opportunity to help do for other generations of athletes what Coach Carey had done for me. Watching 18-year-old boys transform into Christian men during their time at Spring Arbor has been one of the great joys of my life."

Under Darling's direction, the Cougars accumulated over 400 wins and numerous NCCAA/NAIA All-American players. Darling received many coaching awards over the years, including the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Coach of the Year in 1997 and 1999, and Mid-Central Conference (MCC) Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2011. He also received NAIA Region VIII Coach of the Year honors in 2007 and ITA East Region Coach of the Year in 2012. He led his teams to several national tournaments, twice placing third in the NCCAA national event and finishing as the runner-up in 2012. 

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Darling has a doctorate in counseling psychology and has been chair of the psychology department at Spring Arbor University for over 15 years. Because of his training in psychology, he focuses on helping SAU players develop their mental game along with their physical skills.

Darling and his wife, Mary, have two sons, David and Michael, both graduates of SAU. David earned his degree in 2013 while Michael graduated in 2015.