Coach Hoeger

Noah Vaidyan • February 28th, 2026

It was announced in May of 2025, that longtime Peninsula boys and girls varsity tennis Head Coach, Mike Hoeger would be retiring. However he decided a few months later to come out of retirement, returning as the head coach of the boys team. Hoeger served as a coach for both the boys and girls varsity team for 23 straight years before deciding to end his tenure following the conclusion of the boys 2024-25 season. Although returning solely, as the boys coach this school year he continued to help out the girls during their season in various ways. Varsity Girls Tennis Player Emma Gonzalez had a lot to say about Hoeger and her experiences with him as her coach in the time she played for him.

“He was a very passionate and understanding leader who we all felt comfortable going to whenever we needed him,” Gonzalez said. “Even for things not tennis related he was always there for us for whatever we needed of him. When we found out he was stepping down from his role with our team all the girls were really devastated, including myself since I would be entering my senior year in the fall. Even though he is no longer our official coach he continued to be a big part in helping the girls group. Since he’s been in the game for so long he really knows how to organize everything and has definitely been a big part in maintaining our structure and organization as a team this season.”

Although Hoeger has not returned as a head coach for the girls’ varsity team he has fully returned to his initial longtime role of head coach of the boys varsity team. Here is what boys varsity tennis player Junior Evan Chien had to say about the whole process.

"When I found out he was stepping down back in spring of 2025 and I didn't think he would be coming back it was pretty sad,” Chien said. “When I found out he was making a comeback I kind of had some mixed reactions, to be honest. I was pretty excited, but I was also pretty shocked that he's coming back because I was not expecting it at all, whatsoever. Coach Hoeger just has a lot of experience, so he knows the courts really well or just the opponent's tendencies. When I'm on the court, I always feel motivated by him.”

Hoeger highlighted the factors in his return and what he loves about coaching tennis at Peninsula.

[Regarding initial retirement] “It just felt like it was time,” Hoeger said. I had stretched myself thin, being on various tennis committees, running the All American High School Tournament etc. but now I’m back and all in. I came back for my seniors. Four of them started as freshmen and they’ve gotten better each year. I also have a grip of juniors who are

hungry. Our team's success starts with having Captains that the team respects. And we’ve got that this year. Of course, I set the tone, but they are the true motivators. Some teams you have to work harder at team building because it seems like a bunch of individuals, but with 7 starters returning after a CIF top 4 finishes, I believe they are all about the team.”

When asked about his future with the Peninsula tennis program Hoeger expressed his uncertainty and will reportedly make his decision, regarding his final retirement, at the end of the boy’s season.