Boland named next Head of Men’s Tennis

Brian Boland, the renowned head coach of the University of Virginia men’s tennis team, will take over the role of USTA Player Development Head of Men’s Tennis. 

In his new role, Boland will oversee all training and coaching of male junior, collegiate and pro players by USTA Player Development, and he will manage all USTA national coaches on the men’s side. He will report to USTA Player Development General Manager Martin Blackman.

Boland is set to begin his new duties after finishing the 2016-17 collegiate season with the reigning NCAA champion Cavaliers. He replaces Jay Berger, who has served in the position for the last nine years and will remain with the USTA through June to assist with the transition.

"Brian brings a unique skill set to Player Development, a combination of management and coaching expertise, which enabled him to build a championship culture at the University of Virginia,” Blackman said. “He's long been an innovative leader in the world of college tennis and athletics and is the right person at the right time – a person who can build on the great foundation that has been laid by Jay Berger and our men’s coaches and take us to the next level."

Click here to read a Q&A with Brian Boland

Boland became the men’s head coach at Virginia in 2002. He has built UVA’s program into one of the most successful in the country, having led the Cavaliers to a 419-57 record (prior to this season) and three NCAA team championships in the last four years, in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Boland was named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Coach of the Year twice, in 2008 and 2016, and he has coached his players to three NCAA singles titles, three NCAA doubles titles, three ITA National Player of the Year awards and 42 ITA All-America honors. 

Boland’s Virginia teams have been ranked No. 1 in 10 different seasons, and they have reached the NCAA title match five out of the last six years. From April 2006 to February 2016, his Cavaliers won 140 straight matches against ACC opponents, the longest winning streak by any team in any sport in ACC history. 

Prior to Virginia, Boland served as men’s head coach for five seasons at his alma mater, Indiana State, where he compiled a 121-32 record. Heading into this season, he accumulated a 540-89 overall record as a college head coach.

"This is an incredible opportunity for me and my family, and I feel honored and privileged to lead our men's national coaches and serve all of Team USA," Boland said. "This is a very exciting time for American tennis. I believe wholeheartedly that Team USA is blessed with the brightest coaches in the game, a pipeline of players that merit our support and a sense of urgency nationwide to propel American tennis to the top of our global sport. 

“I look forward to building close and trusting relationships with the entire Player Development team and building on the great foundation that has been laid by Jay Berger, in working together with the private sector to grow the game and develop the future of American men's tennis."

(Photo courtesy of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association)