By Larry Hodges

This is the second time that Christian Lillieroos has been USATT Coach of the Year – he also won the honor in 1997. 

Lillieroos, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is the head coach at Texas Wesleyan University, which became the first full-status varsity table tennis program in the country in 2001. This was a major breakthrough for U.S. Table Tennis. Texas Wesleyan swept the five main events (Men’s and Women’s Singles & Doubles, and Mixed Doubles) at the 2001 ACUI College Championships, the first time that has happened. 

Lillieroos also coached Texas Wesleyan players Eric Owens and Jasna Reed to titles at the 2001 U.S. Nationals in December, with Owens winning Men’s Singles and Doubles, and Reed winning Women’s Doubles.  Reed & Owens teamed up to make the final of Mixed Doubles. Lillieroos also coached both onto the U.S. National Team. When Owens won Men’s Singles, it was the first time in eight years that a U.S.-born player had won. 

Lillieroos is certified by USA Table Tennis as a National Coach, the highest level possible. He is also certified by the International Table Tennis Federation as a Level 3 Coach, also the highest level possible. He is an ITTF Coaching Coordinator, and has held clinics in seven countries. 

He was an elite college coach in Sweden before moving to the U.S. in 1986. From 1986 to 1987, he was the Canadian Provincial Team Coach, and also coached the Canadian Junior Team. From 1992-95, he was the Men’s and Women’s National Coach for Mexico. And from 1997-98, he was the U.S. Men’s National Coach.  He was also USATT’s Coaching Development Director from 1997-99. From 1999-2000, he was Germany’s Director of Sport. 

Lillieroos has also been active in Paralympics. He is the Chairman of the International Governing Body for Paralympic Table Tennis, and is a member of the International Paralympic Committee. He was the U.S. Paralympic coach at the Paralympics in 1992 in Barcelona, and has coached numerous Paralympic training camps. He has been a Competition Manager, Director or Technical Delegate at numerous international Paralympic Championships.