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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Former South Carolina women's tennis coach Arlo Elkins has died. According to the University the 62 year-old Elkins died Saturday at his home in Columbia.

"It was a very sad day for South Carolina Athletics with the passing of Arlo Elkins," said USC Athletics Director Eric Hyman. "We lost a member of our family. Coach Elkins was an icon in our department for 29 years. The focus in his life was on our student-athletes in the women’s tennis program. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Elkins family. He will be dearly missed."

Elkins announced his resignation in February. He did not specify the health problem. Associate head coach Katarina Petrovic was named the interim coach for the rest of the season.

Elkins has coached the Gamecocks for 29 seasons, earning a career record of 431-290. His teams made 19 NCAA tournaments, including 17 in a row.

South Carolina hired Elkins in August 1983 from the Spring Valley Country Club in Columbia. He played at Wimbledon and the French Open before becoming a tennis coach.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)