Former Nashua North, IMG and Nichols College standout Sam Kluger is excited to take over the Nashua South boys tennis program. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – Nearly eight years ago, Sam Kluger, along with his family, made a life-changing decision.

The then-Nashua High School North tennis standout opted to leave the area and attend the prestigious sports-based IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., hoping it could propel him toward a career in the sport he loves.

Fast forward to 2023, and Kluger again is making a big decision, embarking on a new path – making high school coaching a big part of his tennis life as the new Nashua High School South boys coach. Yes, his former chief rival.

The Panthers longtime coach Dave Santerre stepped down after a successful second stint, culminating in a semifinals appearance last May. But retirement is a powerful lure, and Santerre was said to have opted not to return.

Enter Kluger, who had quite the experience at IMG, preparing him for Nichols and his career. Kluger traveled around Florida, the Carribean, etc. while ;playing with IMG. After brief stints at Roger Williams and Saint Anselm, Kluger played the majority of his college career at Nichols College – he got the extra Covid eligibility.

He graduated from Nichols with a degree in criminal justice and history then got a grad degree from there in counter terrorism. Last year, in his final season, Kluger’s singles victory was the clinching match for Nichols in the Commonwealth Coast Conference – he won the CCC Scholar Athlete Award — and they won a round in the NCAAs. It was the best season in school history.

Everything worked out for the best for Kluger. Roger Williams “was “not a good fit” and he was happy to return to the area to play and study at Saint Anselm’s. But in 2019, the school pulled the plug on men’s tennis.

“It was difficult, because I did like the school,” Kluger said. “Obviously tennis is a big part of my life, so I had to make the smart decision, and I wanted to keep playing college tennis.”

But at the time, Kluger had only two weeks to transfer, so he put his availability on social media and determined the first coach that contacted him, “I will go there.”

And lo and behold, a familiar face responded immediately.

Nichols was an obvious landing spot as at the time that school’s coach was Kluger’s former IMG coach, Paul Brower, who ironically is now the VP of Enrollment at Rivier University, one of the driving forces behind the Raiders recruiting emphasis for athletics that resulted in, among other things, the creation of men’s and women’s hockey. Brower coached Kluger at Nichols his first few years before he left around four years ago for Riv.

“I visited (Nichols) and I said, ‘Yes, I’m sold,'” Kluger said. “The only thing I could have done differently is gone right to Nichols from IMG.”

But it was a learning experience. “It’s a cruel world, a little bit, unfortunately,” Kluger said. “And stuff’s about money, unfortunately. But I was able to adapt. I just learned a lot from it, all different things. It was really unfortunate what happened, but I think I grew a lot as a kid back then. I grew a lot and learned a lot.”

Throughout his time Kluger had a lot of different teammates at Nichols as players transferred in and out – COVID was a factor – and there were coaching changes as well. “I was kind of the guy that stayed around,” he said.

But international flavor at IMG as well as Nichols has prepared him for what has truly become a more international sport wherever he’s taught and will now coach. Kluger was one of two U.S. born players in the Nichols lineup his final season.

Experience has served Kluger well.

“I grew, I got more mature compared to when I was a freshman,” he said. “And match experience, which is what I’m going to push with these kids at Nashua South. I just developed into a more solid player as I got older.”

How important is tennis to Kluger? Consider all of this: He is the son of two coaches, former North co-coaches Rob and Lee Ann Kluger, and Rob will assist him at South. He’s been coaching and teaching at various tennis clubs over the last few years – including Nashua Country Club — but this will be his first high school team job. Most of the jobs were through some of his former coaches. And also, he still competes semi-professionally – he’s ranked 120th in the nation on the USTA circuit, and No. 3 in New England. Kluger has the pedigree, for certain.

Is this all what Kluger envisioned when he went to IMG? Yes, because he felt the college prep was second to none.

“When I went to college I thought it was a walk in the park while a lot of my friends had difficulties because they weren’t prepared,” he said. “(At IMG) they follow a college schedule so I had two years of preparation already.”

Which is what he’ll tell his players – time management is a key. “Time management when you come in to any college is tough for kids,” Kluger said. “They have a tough time balancing both, they focus on tennis and the gym and then uh-oh, they have a D in statistics.”

Former Nashua North standout Sam Kluger talks to his players as the new Nashua South boys tennis coach. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

And their scholarship – academically or athletically – can be in danger. All lessons he plans on relaying to his student-athletes at South.

Because, he says, at this age they don’t know what they don’t know – just like him years ago. When Kluger arrived at IMG, his initial reaction was almost shock.

“I was shocked at how many tennis players there are,” he said, “and how good they are. It was kind of a wakeup call, honestly. It made me work my — off. Spain, Germany, Japan, some of the islands, Russia. It was an eye opener.

“The tournaments were insane, over 100 in the draws, college coaches watching you. So many players that were really good, and that really pushed me.”

But Kluger found out something.

“It made me feel great that I had potential and that I could do this,” he said. “Beginning my junior year, all the way through graduate school was how I really jumped. It was my game but also it was my mental (outlook), honestly. Mental is a big thing. I always had the game, but the confidence in the match play. The match play and the mental, they intertwine.”

What mentally does Kluger feel you have to do to be a successful competitive tennis player?

“To be the best, basically you have to – like these pros even think – you’ve got to admit you’re going to make mistakes,” he said. “You’re not going to be perfect. In baseball, for example, as a pitcher, you’re going to give up a home run once in awhile. It’s the same thing in tennis. You can be out there two hours, you can be out there three hours, you’re going to be out there an hour. You ‘re going to make mistakes, you’ve got to move on really quickly, short term memory.can’t lose your (mind). You can lose that game in three seconds if you’re just thinking about the past. Big time focusing in tennis.”

Kluger says he enjoys helping people, and that makes him enjoy coaching. “I want to make them improve, make sure they’re having fun, and teach them the way I was taught. Because the way I was taught, I feel, was the right way.

“I’ve taught plenty of kids, and I can see the difference in some of the junior players I’ve helped and they’ve improved quickly in the time I’vee worked with them.”

Which makes coaching high school appealing to Kluger.

“I know it’s my first time coaching a team-wise thing,” he said. “But I think my college experience will help me, it’s similar and I can bring that to the high school front. I’ve brought some of that and the kids have enjoyed it so far.”

He says there’s even more he wants to convey to them throughout the preseason and as the season begins.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to coach a team, college would be great someday, but high school is a good starting point. And I know how good the Panthers did last year.”

Indeed, South thrived under Santerre as players like returning junior Abhinav Avarru developed. The only thing was the Panthers couldn’t get past Bedford, losing to the Bulldogs in the semis, as well as champion Hanover and the ‘Dogs during the regular season. South, ironically does not face Bedford this regular season, and is scheduled to open up this Wednesday, April 5 at home. The Panthers first three matches are at South.

“That area of New Hampshire has always developed tennis players,” Kluger said of the Bedford area. “It’ll definitely be a challenge, they’ve always had depth. I’ve known a number of players from that region. I’ve played with a bunch of them and met a few in college as well. It’s a very popular tennis area.”

But Kluger likes his players, and tennis popular at South as well. Kluger loves the interest; he has about 25 on the roster so far.

“I’ve enjoyed working with a bunch of them so far,” he said. “I have a bunch of freshmen coming in that I didn’t expect. I have two USTA kids that have played a lot of tennis, I can definitely see it in them.”

Kluger was excited about his first meeting, knowing the success South has had has helped.

“I think it’s the reputation and I think some of the veterans on the team are bringing people in as well,” he said. “I just really enoyed seeing all the people interested, and same thing the first day of practice. This is great this many people are interested in practice. And I would say with about 20 of them, I have a lot of options here with my lineups.”

He’s already discussed possible lineups with his father, who it will be fun to coach with. “He loved it at North, that was a last second thing for him back then. He’s retired now, and he likes tennis, so this is fun and easy for him to do. He still plays, and I hit with him today.

“But we have 10 or 11 guys who could be 4 through 6. Which is good, I think they’re all capable of winning their matches against other teams, too. I’ll have to probably switch them up. I know the depth Bedford has, but I think we have that as well.”

The practices outside on the courts have begun, and Kluger feels that’s so important as he can pair his depth for doubles. “I’d like to win all three (doubles spots),” he said. “Doubles are important.”

How will he keep that many players engaged? One, he feels the players have bought in to the fitness regimen he’s used the first week or so of practice, the drills, etc. With that many on the roster, Kluger will have to keep their minds on the game.

“I’m going to keep encouraging them and telling them they can do this,” he said. “I think positive reinforcement with them is key. That’s a good start. They all seem to love tennis, so that’s going to keep them around. They’re all asking about the lineup, that they want to play.This is almost all of them. I’m thinking, ‘This is great.'”

If someon “I think you’re just being funny right now,” Kluger said.

But he’d been on the job hunt for his degrees, sending in nearly 200 job applications, and thus he kept his eyes on the Nashua School District site and spotted the South tennis opening about a month ago. He knew athletic director Lisa Gingras, South is obviously a good location for him, so why not?

“I was sold,” he said. “Lisa Gingras even got back to me during her February vacation.” And, after going through all the protocols, Gingras told Kluger she’d love to have him on board.

And thus a high school tennis coach, once a former Nashua standout, is born, and a former Titan becomes a Panther.