Kentucky head men?s tennis coach Dennis Emery Monday announced the hiring of former Wildcat standout Cedric Kauffmann as assistant coach.

A three-time All-American from 1996-98, Kauffmann finished in the top-ten of the country each of those three seasons. He has returned to his alma matter after serving as the head professional at the Five Seasons Country Club, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Prior to becoming the head pro, Kauffmann participated in the ATP Tennis Tour, reaching 170 in the world rankings. Kauffmann competed in two Grand Slams during his career, the 2000 United States Open and the 2001 French Open. At the 2001 French Open, Kauffmann took three match points from tennis legend Pete Sampras before falling in the fifth-set.

Kauffmann, a Montsoult, France native, who was also a three-time All SEC performer, had a career collegiate singles record of 105-54. In 1997, he was a finalist at the National Clay Court Singles Championship. 1997, was also the year Kauffmann reached his highest national ranking, No. 2.

?I think Cedric will walk on campus as one of the best assistants in the country,? Emery said. ?We are thrilled to have one of the best players in our program?s history as an assistant.?

The opportunity to return to the UK tennis program is one that truly excites Kauffmann and makes him anxious to begin the fall season.

?This was an easy decision to come back to Lexington,? Kauffmann said. ?I wanted to be working with one of the best programs in the nation and to be able to work with coach Emery. I?m looking forward to be coaching this team and to be recruiting future players.?

Kauffmann replaces associate head tennis coach Greg Van Emburgh, who left to become the head coach at the University of Wisconsin. Kauffmann resides in Lexington with his wife Caroline, who is a native of the Blue Grass state. The couple has two daughters, Isabelle and Gabrielle.