STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford's Peter and Helen Bing Director of Women's Tennis Lele Forood, who for the last 24 seasons has presided over the most decorated program in the history of the sport, announced Tuesday she was stepping down.
Forood’s association with the winningest program on The Farm spans nearly five decades, beginning with an All-American playing career before a 14-year stint as an assistant coach and associate head coach ultimately transitioned into the head coaching role.
Forood amassed a 560-63 overall record, leading Stanford to 10 NCAA team championships in a coaching career that never included a title drought longer than three seasons. Forood also directed Stanford to 16 conference crowns and six Pac-12 Tournament titles while mentoring 28 All-Americans, five NCAA singles champions and five NCAA doubles champions.
“I will forever cherish the many incredible moments leading Stanford women's tennis, a program that has meant so much to me since arriving on campus nearly 50 years ago,” said Forood. “I have been fortunate to learn from my mentor, Frank Brennan, and remain sincerely appreciative of everyone who has unconditionally supported me and our program. Most importantly, I have been inspired daily by our players on and off the court. It's been an honor to be a small part of their success while remaining invested in their lives outside of tennis.”
“Lele has enjoyed success at every level of her career while cementing our women's tennis program as the sport's gold standard,” said Stanford's Jaquish & Kenninger Director of Athletics, Bernard Muir. “The 10 NCAA championships, 560 wins, 22 conference titles combined are incredible achievements and a testament to Lele's adaptability, resilience and ability to recruit and develop elite talent. While the numbers immediately jump out, I've always admired Lele for the meaningful relationships forged with her players.”
A two-time ITA National Coach of the Year and eight-time conference coach of the year, Forood’s teams were equally successful as the favorite or an underdog. Forood remarkably totaled more NCAA championships (5) than overall losses (3) through her first six seasons, including becoming the first female head coach to win an NCAA title in 2001. However, the Cardinal also won it all as the No. 8 seed (2010), No. 12 seed (2013) and twice as the No. 15 seed (2016, 2018) – the lowest seeded team to hoist the trophy.
Stanford also produced several lengthy winning streaks under Forood. From 1999-2011, Stanford won 184 consecutive dual matches in a row at Taube Family Tennis Stadium – at the time recognized as the longest home winning streak of any NCAA Division I intercollegiate sport. The Cardinal also compiled an 89-match winning streak from 2004-2007, resulting in three undefeated seasons and three NCAA titles until a February loss in 2007.
Individual success was also a constant during Forood’s tenure, as she coached five NCAA singles champions and five NCAA doubles teams. That haul includes Amber Liu (2003-04) and Nicole Gibbs (2012-13) claiming back-to-back singles titles, in addition to a three-year grip in doubles from 2010-12.
Forood was an assistant for five NCAA championship runs from 1989-1991, 1997 and 1999. In 1997, Forood’s efforts were recognized on a higher level when she was named the ITA Division I National Assistant Coach of the Year.
An All-American at Stanford 1976 - the first year All-America accolades were awarded - Forood was a National Collegiate singles finalist as a freshman and a semifinalist during her sophomore campaign in leading Stanford to two runner-up finishes before turning pro. She earned a degree in sociology from Stanford in 1978.
Stanford has won 20 of the possible 42 all-time NCAA championships in women’s tennis. The Cardinal has won 21 national titles overall in school history, also claiming the 1978 AIAW crown, the first women’s team title in any Stanford sport.
Associate head coach Frankie Brennan, who completed his 28th year on The Farm in 2023-24, will serve as the program’s interim head coach.