LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville Cardinals have let go of men's head tennis coach Rex Ecarma after almost thirty years as coach.  

The university says it is moving "toward a change in leadership" for the program. UofL exercised the 10-day notice provision in Ecarma's contract to terminate his service without cause, effective Monday, August 26. Ecarma will be paid for the remainder of his contract.  

“’While we have great respect for Rex’s accomplishment as a player and coach at the University of Louisville, we have determined that a change in leadership is needed in our men’s tennis program,” said Vince Tyra, UofL Vice-President and Director of Athletics.  “We have been clear about our roles and expectations in providing our student-athletes an outstanding experience while a part of our program.  The conclusion of an independent investigation into our men’s tennis program determined otherwise.  We will turn our attention to landing another outstanding person and coach, along the lines of recent hires, in order to develop terrific people while competing for championships.”

Ecarma coached the Cardinals from 1991 to 2019 and compiled a 475-317-1 overall record with 12 NCAA team regional appearances.  He is a Louisville native and played for the Cardinals from 1984 through 1987 and earned 92 career doubles victories, second-most at UofL.

Current assistant coach Jakob Gustafsson will serve as acting coach while the school does a national search for a new head coach.