CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Citadel Director of Athletics Larry Leckonby named Kemper Baker, formerly of Samford, as the new head coach of the Bulldog Tennis program.

Kemper, who spent the last nine years at the helm of the Samford Men's Tennis program, is recently coming off a 2011 Southern Conference Championship and NCAA tournament appearance. The Bulldogs went 19-7 overall and 6-4 in SoCon action in 2011 and ranked No. 6 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's (ITA) final 2011 regional listings.

"We are excited to bring Kemper on board now as a 'Citadel Bulldog' to head our men's tennis program,' said Leckonby. "He has seen an incredible amount of success at Samford over the last nine years and he brings a wealth of experience and talent that we know our cadet-student-athletes will benefit from tremendously."

In 2007 and 2008, Baker brought in two Top 25 Mid-Major recruiting classes according to TennisRecruiting.net, and in 2008, led the Bulldogs to the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship title and an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. Samford finished the season with an overall record of 15-9, including a remarkable 11-1 mark in conference play.

In 2005, Baker's team posted an undefeated 8-0 record in conference play and finished second in the OVC Tournament in both 2005 and 2006. He was named the OVC's Coach of the Year in 2005 after finishing as the conference team champions.  In nine years as a head coach, Baker has coached 29 All-Conference selections.

"I am extremely grateful for this opportunity that Larry Leckonby, Geoff Von Dollen and Gen. Rosa have afforded me," Baker said. "I look forward to working with the cadet-student-athletes and helping to create an environment where they can succeed academically, personally and athletically."

While at Samford, Baker also served as president of Bulldog Tennis Camps, Inc., directing a summer camp program that catered to 400 junior tennis players per summer; a private coach for Alexandra Stevenson; and director of Nike Tennis Camps at Samford. Baker served on the ITA Southern Region Division I Ranking Committee and was a 2010 NCAA Site Representative for the first and second rounds in Waco, Texas. He is also a certified professional of the Professional Tennis Registry, member of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, member of the Advisory Staff and Competition Team for Babolat USA and a registered Player Coach with WTA.

Baker is a native of Richmond, Va., and is a 1997 graduate of the University of Mississippi. However, he played tennis for Samford from 1997-98 before becoming an assistant coach for the Bulldogs in 1999.