Former Texas tennis coach rebuilds life after fraud conviction and prison stint

Michael Center spent more than four months in a medium-security prison and a subsequent halfway house after pleading guilty to two fraud counts tied to a wealthy family’s admission to Texas during the Operation Varsity Blues investigation. Upon release, he resumed everyday routines in Austin, walking his Shih Tzu, sharing meals with his wife Allison and supporting his two college-graduated sons. He has pivoted to a varied career, giving leadership talks to audiences ranging from manufacturing firms to emergency-room staff, working for a real-estate investment group, aiding a pickleball startup, and coaching tennis in Fort Worth.

The university that hired him most recently is Texas Christian University, where he serves as director of junior development and events coordinator for the Bayard Friedman TCU Tennis Center. Center also authored a 131-page memoir, "Breaking Serve," chronicling his experience and his efforts to help others recover from setbacks. Despite the loss of his former coaching position, he remains active in community service, delivering food to the homeless and supporting local charitable initiatives.