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Archive (1999-2000)

Tennis, baseball coaches announced

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The BYU Athletic Department announced the appointment of Craig Manning as head women's tennis coach and Vance Law as head baseball coach Aug. 16.

Manning replaces former tennis coach Clark Barton, who compiled a 43-28 record in his three years at the head of the program.

Manning will take the helm after one year as the assistant coach for the men's tennis program. He served as the women's assistant tennis coach during the 1997-98 season.

Manning, a former tennis player at BYU from 1991 to 1995, amassed a 35-30 singles record and a 21-25 doubles record while playing in the various positions.

'My goal will be to be able to win a national championship in the very near future and I don't think we should settle for anything else,' Manning said in a news release.

A native of Canberra, Australia, Manning graduated from BYU in 1995 with a degree in psychology and is working on a masters degree in sports psychology. He and his wife McKenzie reside in Provo.

Law, 43, replaces his former coach, Gary Pullins, who stepped up as BYU Assistant Athletic Director in June. Law is a former major league all-star and dual-sport Cougar athlete.

'It is a privilege to carry on the tradition Coach Pullins and Glen Tuckett have established when I played for them,' Law said in a news release. 'This is a wonderful opportunity to help young people impact their lives in a positive manner.'

Law has been the head baseball coach at Provo High School since 1995, where he compiled a 64-55 (.538) record in five seasons. He led the Bulldogs to the state title in 1997 and was named 4-A Coach of the Year. He previously served as an assistant coach at Utah Valley State College from 1993-94.

The infielder/outfielder played 14 years of professional baseball, including 11 on the major league level with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1978-81), Chicago White Sox (1982-84), Montreal Expos (1985-87), Chicago Cubs (1988-89) and Oakland Athletics (1991).

The Provo High graduate was a three-time All-Western Athletic Conference shortstop at BYU, where he played from 1974-78. He was also a starting guard with the BYU basketball team, where he lettered three seasons (1975-77).

Law is married to the former Sharon Metten, also of Provo, and they have five children. Law becomes the 10th head coach in the history of BYU baseball, dating back to 1909.