Difficult season made easier by coach

One can tell by the respect Ken Hydinger commands that he is not an average coach. Coaches must gain their players' respect before the players will listen and truly believe in their coach's philosophy. Hydinger has done that.\nAfter practice, he chats with a senior about their play. He tells him he will be fine if he just plays to his strengths. Hydinger has been offering this assurance and much more for 18 years at IU. He has set high standards and has flourished as coach of the IU men's tennis team. \nHydinger has received a plethora of accolades, but shrugs them off. When credit comes his way he quickly dishes it off like he's playing a game of hot potato. He holds an all-time school best 271-189-1 record and has 117 Big Ten victories.\nHydinger, a graduate of Pepperdine, is very humble and he shows it everyday. He shows it in the way he speaks to his \nplayers and the way he carries himself off-court with the media. \n"He has been real positive and hasn\'t shown any frustration or negativity this season," senior Rahman Smiley said. "He's just as excited, even if we lose after a match. I couldn't have imagined the coach to be anybody but him. He has definitely created a positive team attitude."\nTo begin his achievements, in 1992 he was named Big Ten coach of the year. That year the Hoosiers finished the regular season in 2nd place with an 11-2 conference record and were 16-8 overall. \nBefore coming to IU, Hydinger coached at Mississippi State and at Southwest Missouri State. He owned a 43-42 record in his four years at Mississippi State and held a 23-3 mark at Southwest Missouri State in 1978. \nMost importantly, this year Hydinger has helped to turn a disappointing season into a challenging endeavor. He has done so by always remaining positive and by being a remarkable motivator. The Hoosiers (7-15, 1-9) have won only one Big Ten match this season, that coming last weekend against Michigan State. Despite the frustrating season, Hydinger has found a way to motivate his players.\n"Teaching you how to play tennis is like a miniature version of life," Hydinger said. "You have to learn responsibility and get in the habit of doing things right." \nSmiley, who has 68 career singles victories, credits Hydinger with his success in college. \n"He has been a big help with my tennis," Smiley said. "He has taught me the importance of conditioning and he has helped me with my volleys."\nSmiley has been injured for the majority of the season, but he said he always relies on Hydinger for advice. Smiley said he always see Hydinger assisting other players, helping whenever help is needed.\nAssistant coach Ondrej Holik, who is a native of the Czech Republic, is in his fourth year with Hydinger. Much like Smiley, he doesn't know where he would be without Hydinger.\n"(Hydinger) knows a lot about tennis, no question. He watches videotapes and studies players," Holik said. "I have learned things from him. By working with him, I'm learning how to better motivate players."\nHolik said Hydinger's rapport with him and other people is unmatched. \n"He knows what to say and when to say it," Holik said. "He talks to the guys a lot. Sometimes it's hard to keep a positive mind, but he does it."\n Holik, who is IU's primary recruiter, said he and Hydinger trust one another. \n Holik said it's more than a boss relationship. He said they are friends and Holik feels comfortable with him.\n "IU is a wonderful school," Hydinger said. "It's what you make of the opportunity. They have terrific facilities and the academic help is just as good. You don't have to give up anything to be at IU."\n In addition to his other accomplishments, Hydinger has been responsible for coaching a number of fine Hoosier players. He coached Sven Gunnar and his brother Gunnar, who were both three-time All-Big Ten selections. Furthermore, under his tutelage, Erik Barrett was named the 1995 Big Ten Sportsman of the Year. No other coach in the history of IU Tennis has ever had a player earn that prestigious award.\n Hydinger said Barrett nabbed the accomplishment because he had talent when he was younger. Hydinger credited Barrett's parents with his good sportsmanlike conduct. That typifies Hydinger's humble demeanor. \n"It would be awesome to win a Big Ten Championship with such a great person," Holik said. "It would mean so much more. It wouldn\'t get any better than that"