Matt Lucas Named Head Men's Tennis Coach
7/27/2017 10:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
JACKSONVILLE -- University of North Florida Director of Athletics Lee Moon announced the hiring of Matt Lucas as the head coach for the UNF Men's Tennis program.
Lucas comes to the Ospreys after serving as the associate head coach for the University at Buffalo men's tennis team last season. The Bulls claimed the MAC regular season and tournament titles last year and advanced to the NCAA Tournament while producing five All-MAC players. Lucas brings over 10 years of coaching experience to UNF having coached at all levels of competitive tennis during his career.Â
"This is a great hire for our program and we are thrilled to have Matt and all his coaching experience leading our team," said Moon. "During the interview process, Matt demonstrated a real passion for the game and developing student-athletes. Throughout his career he has been a strong teacher of the game and has a wealth of experience in both collegiate and professional tennis. He is an outstanding recruiter and has strong ties to the tennis community in North Florida. We are excited to have Matt at UNF and look forward to watching him continue and even grow the success of our men's tennis program."
Prior to his season at Buffalo, Lucas worked one year as the Head Tennis Professional at The Palencia Club in St. Augustine, Fla. Before serving in the head pro position, Lucas spent a season as a traveling coach on the ITF Pro Circuit where he coached and traveled with Alex Valenstein. He helped guide her to Texas Tech University, where she became a singles and doubles starter on a Top-10 team.
"I am extremely excited about this opportunity to lead the lead the men's tennis program at the University of North Florida," said Lucas. "I want to thank Lee Moon and Nick Morrow for entrusting me with the reigns of this great program. I also want to thank UNF women's coach Mariana Cobra for her support during the interview process. It is an exciting time for the tennis program and I look forward to helping build on the past successes while striving to further the national prominence of UNF Tennis and continue competing for ASUN Championships. Our guys will also be involved in the Jacksonville community and maintain their strong performances in the classroom as well. With my ties to the area, I can't wait to get back to the River City and begin working with the team. It is a great day to be and Osprey. SWOOP!"
Lucas previously coached in the college ranks in 2014 when he was a volunteer assistant coach at Wake Forest University for one season. While at Wake Forest, Lucas helped the Demon Deacons reach #13 in the ITA National rankings while also helping three players earn All-ACC recognition.
Prior to Wake Forest, Lucas spent three seasons at South Carolina as an assistant coach helping turn the Gamecocks into a Top 25 team. Lucas was named the ITA Carolina Region Assistant Coach of the Year for his success at South Carolina and helped sign the No. 3 recruiting class in the nation in 2011.
Before becoming the assistant coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks, he served as the head men's tennis coach at the University of the Pacific from 2009-10, leading the team to as high as No. 52 in the ITA Rankings. Prior to his stint on the West Coast, he was an assistant coach at Princeton from 2006-09.
Lucas played collegiate tennis at Appalachian State and NC State, rising as high as No. 63 in the ITA Singles Rankings while with the Wolfpack. He graduated from N.C. State in 2002 with a degree in humanities.
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Lucas comes to the Ospreys after serving as the associate head coach for the University at Buffalo men's tennis team last season. The Bulls claimed the MAC regular season and tournament titles last year and advanced to the NCAA Tournament while producing five All-MAC players. Lucas brings over 10 years of coaching experience to UNF having coached at all levels of competitive tennis during his career.Â
"This is a great hire for our program and we are thrilled to have Matt and all his coaching experience leading our team," said Moon. "During the interview process, Matt demonstrated a real passion for the game and developing student-athletes. Throughout his career he has been a strong teacher of the game and has a wealth of experience in both collegiate and professional tennis. He is an outstanding recruiter and has strong ties to the tennis community in North Florida. We are excited to have Matt at UNF and look forward to watching him continue and even grow the success of our men's tennis program."
Prior to his season at Buffalo, Lucas worked one year as the Head Tennis Professional at The Palencia Club in St. Augustine, Fla. Before serving in the head pro position, Lucas spent a season as a traveling coach on the ITF Pro Circuit where he coached and traveled with Alex Valenstein. He helped guide her to Texas Tech University, where she became a singles and doubles starter on a Top-10 team.
"I am extremely excited about this opportunity to lead the lead the men's tennis program at the University of North Florida," said Lucas. "I want to thank Lee Moon and Nick Morrow for entrusting me with the reigns of this great program. I also want to thank UNF women's coach Mariana Cobra for her support during the interview process. It is an exciting time for the tennis program and I look forward to helping build on the past successes while striving to further the national prominence of UNF Tennis and continue competing for ASUN Championships. Our guys will also be involved in the Jacksonville community and maintain their strong performances in the classroom as well. With my ties to the area, I can't wait to get back to the River City and begin working with the team. It is a great day to be and Osprey. SWOOP!"
Lucas previously coached in the college ranks in 2014 when he was a volunteer assistant coach at Wake Forest University for one season. While at Wake Forest, Lucas helped the Demon Deacons reach #13 in the ITA National rankings while also helping three players earn All-ACC recognition.
Prior to Wake Forest, Lucas spent three seasons at South Carolina as an assistant coach helping turn the Gamecocks into a Top 25 team. Lucas was named the ITA Carolina Region Assistant Coach of the Year for his success at South Carolina and helped sign the No. 3 recruiting class in the nation in 2011.
Before becoming the assistant coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks, he served as the head men's tennis coach at the University of the Pacific from 2009-10, leading the team to as high as No. 52 in the ITA Rankings. Prior to his stint on the West Coast, he was an assistant coach at Princeton from 2006-09.
Lucas played collegiate tennis at Appalachian State and NC State, rising as high as No. 63 in the ITA Singles Rankings while with the Wolfpack. He graduated from N.C. State in 2002 with a degree in humanities.
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