Penn State men's tennis coach Jan Bortner, who was named assistant athletic director yesterday, said he is now living out a dream.

"When I came back to grad school at Penn State in 1984, I knew I was really interested in getting into administration," Bortner said. "This gives me a chance to not only help one team, but other coaches, players and teams reach their dreams."

His new position will allow him to do just that. The administrative post became available when former Assistant Athletic Director Bob Krimmel was named director of athletics at Pennsylvania's St. Francis University in June.

Nittany Lions men's tennis coach since 1990 and women's tennis coach from 1982-1990, Bortner continues his nearly three decades at Penn State, now as an administrator.

"We are thrilled to add Jan's enthusiasm and pride to the athletic administration," Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley said in yesterday's press release. "His long-running relationship with the university and the department will allow him to have an immediate impact."

As of now, no immediate decision has been made on an interim coach for the Lions, as Bortner said that he was in a "transitional phase" between coaching and administrative responsibilities.

Bortner will report to Curley while overseeing the 13 Penn State men's varsity non-revenue teams, which excludes football and men's basketball.

"My first responsibility -- obviously, I know tennis -- but I have to get a grasp for the other 12 sports," Bortner said. "What I do know is every sport is unique, and my job as an administrator is to find out the unique qualities of each sport."

A nationally ranked player for the Lions in the 1970s, Bortner participated in the NCAA Championships all four years of his college career. Bortner continued his success in the Blue and White -- in eight years as coach of the women's team, his record reflected that with a 125-45 record.

Last season under Bortner's guidance, the Lions posted a 17-7 record and went 5-5 in the Big Ten, Penn State's best conference finish in school history. A career record of 199-159 as the men's coach helped Bortner turn Penn State into a power in the East for men's tennis. The Lions have finished second in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Invitational for the past two years.

"His tenure as head coach makes him familiar with the issues that are important in today's world of intercollegiate athletics," Curley said in the press release. "Jan has always expected the most out of his student athletes, and his teams have produced both on the court and in the classroom and community."

At last year's men's tennis banquet, Krimmel spoke of Bortner's teams, recalling never having to look into a single violation from one of his teams and praising the coach's ability to make the most of his pupils -- not just as athletes, but as men.

Bortner told his team about the decision in an emotional meeting after practice Wednesday. He let his players know that this year is their time to finally make the NCAA team championships in the spring, telling them they had the "talent, leadership and character" to do it.

"The best part of coaching is being with the guys out on the practice court," he said. "I've been coaching for 23 years, and practicing with the guys was always the most enjoyable part, so [Wednesday] was a little tough."

Bortner will serve as acting head coach for this weekend's Penn State Fall Classic, where the team will prepare for the upcoming ECAC Championships.