Xavier University Athletics
Doug Matthews Named Head Coach For Men's And Women's Tennis
06.01.15 | Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis
Defending Cincinnati Met Champion Has Enjoyed A Standout Career In Tennis
CINCINNATI --- Xavier University Athletic Director Greg Christopher announced today thatDoug Matthews has been named as the head coach for men's and women's tennis. Matthews, who served as interim head coach during the 2014-15 school year, spent the previous four years as the Xavier assistant coach under former head coach Eric Toth.Â
"Doug clearly emerged as the best candidate to lead Xavier Tennis," said Christopher. "Beyond his experience with the program, Doug set himself apart with a vision for the future and how to take the Musketeer programs to new heights. Doug is ready for this step; it's going to be exciting to see the impact he makes."Â
The Xavier women's team finished 18-5 overall this past season, including 7-2 in the BIG EAST, and reached the semifinals of the BIG EAST Conference Championship. The Xavier men finished 14-9, while also reaching the semifinals of the BIG EAST Championship.Â
"I would like to thank Greg Christopher and the entire Xavier athletic department for believing in me and trusting me to lead our tennis program," said Matthews. "I would also like to thank my family for being so supportive and instilling the confidence to be the best coach I can be. Lastly, I would like to thank current and former players for giving me the drive and passion to coach. My time under the late Jim Brockhoff and Eric Toth has prepared me for the challenge ahead. I am excited to lead this program and work hard to achieve new heights."Â
Matthews, who was born and raised in Cincinnati, has been a standout player in the area since high school and has won titles at the Thomas E. Price Cincinnati Metropolitan tournament 14 times, including three in singles, five in doubles and six in mixed doubles. He is the defending champion in singles and mixed doubles. Doug and his wife Kara ended 2014 as the number one ranked husband/wife team in the United States.Â
Matthews, arguably the most decorated tennis standout in Xavier history, played at XU from 2005-09 and worked as a volunteer on staff for the 2009-10 season. He has also worked as the staff professional at the Club at Harpers' Point.Â
Matthews was a member of the Xavier men's tennis team from 2005-09, leading Xavier to back-to-back Atlantic 10 Conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances in his junior and senior years. The 2008 and 2009 seasons marked the first-ever men's tennis team appearances in the NCAA Tournament. While at XU he compiled a 75-47 career singles record, which ranks fourth all-time at Xavier. In doubles, he ranks third all-time with a 75-52 career record and he is second all-time at Xavier in total wins with a 150-99 career record.Â
Matthews, who was named the Atlantic 10's Most Outstanding Performer in 2008 and 2009, earned a long list of other awards as a student-athlete while at Xavier. He was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference team four consecutive years and earned the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year award in 2006. Additionally, Matthews earned Xavier's Rev. Paul O'Connor Award, given annually to the university's male student-athlete that represents the ideal of the school based on academic and athletic excellence.Â
Prior to his standout Xavier career, Matthews played No. 2 singles for the 2005 Ohio State Champion Kings High School squad, which finished the season with a 21-0 record. He also claimed the2004 Ohio State Doubles Championship.Â
Matthews is a 2009 Xavier University graduate with a bachelor's degree in sport management with a business minor. He earned his master's degree in sport administration from Xavier in 2012. Matthews and his wife Kara, also a former Xavier tennis standout, have a daughter, Kinsley.Â
"Doug clearly emerged as the best candidate to lead Xavier Tennis," said Christopher. "Beyond his experience with the program, Doug set himself apart with a vision for the future and how to take the Musketeer programs to new heights. Doug is ready for this step; it's going to be exciting to see the impact he makes."Â
The Xavier women's team finished 18-5 overall this past season, including 7-2 in the BIG EAST, and reached the semifinals of the BIG EAST Conference Championship. The Xavier men finished 14-9, while also reaching the semifinals of the BIG EAST Championship.Â
"I would like to thank Greg Christopher and the entire Xavier athletic department for believing in me and trusting me to lead our tennis program," said Matthews. "I would also like to thank my family for being so supportive and instilling the confidence to be the best coach I can be. Lastly, I would like to thank current and former players for giving me the drive and passion to coach. My time under the late Jim Brockhoff and Eric Toth has prepared me for the challenge ahead. I am excited to lead this program and work hard to achieve new heights."Â
Matthews, who was born and raised in Cincinnati, has been a standout player in the area since high school and has won titles at the Thomas E. Price Cincinnati Metropolitan tournament 14 times, including three in singles, five in doubles and six in mixed doubles. He is the defending champion in singles and mixed doubles. Doug and his wife Kara ended 2014 as the number one ranked husband/wife team in the United States.Â
Matthews, arguably the most decorated tennis standout in Xavier history, played at XU from 2005-09 and worked as a volunteer on staff for the 2009-10 season. He has also worked as the staff professional at the Club at Harpers' Point.Â
Matthews was a member of the Xavier men's tennis team from 2005-09, leading Xavier to back-to-back Atlantic 10 Conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances in his junior and senior years. The 2008 and 2009 seasons marked the first-ever men's tennis team appearances in the NCAA Tournament. While at XU he compiled a 75-47 career singles record, which ranks fourth all-time at Xavier. In doubles, he ranks third all-time with a 75-52 career record and he is second all-time at Xavier in total wins with a 150-99 career record.Â
Matthews, who was named the Atlantic 10's Most Outstanding Performer in 2008 and 2009, earned a long list of other awards as a student-athlete while at Xavier. He was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference team four consecutive years and earned the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year award in 2006. Additionally, Matthews earned Xavier's Rev. Paul O'Connor Award, given annually to the university's male student-athlete that represents the ideal of the school based on academic and athletic excellence.Â
Prior to his standout Xavier career, Matthews played No. 2 singles for the 2005 Ohio State Champion Kings High School squad, which finished the season with a 21-0 record. He also claimed the2004 Ohio State Doubles Championship.Â
Matthews is a 2009 Xavier University graduate with a bachelor's degree in sport management with a business minor. He earned his master's degree in sport administration from Xavier in 2012. Matthews and his wife Kara, also a former Xavier tennis standout, have a daughter, Kinsley.Â
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