Tom Rees Named K-State Assistant Tennis Coach
Aug 01, 2019 | Tennis
MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State head women's tennis coach Jordan Smith announced Thursday the addition of former Lenoir-Rhyne director of tennis Tom Rees as assistant tennis coach.
Rees, with five years of head coaching experience at the Division II level, has spent the last three seasons leading both the men's and women's programs at Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.). He guided both squads to program-best records in 2018-19, with the men going 18-4 while the women posted an 18-5 mark.
"We are so excited to have Tom and his wife, Brooke, join our K-State tennis family," said Smith, who is entering his second year at the helm of the Wildcats. "Tom has done a wonderful job leading both the men and women at Lenoir-Rhyne over the last three years. I believe his experience as a head coach along with is proven track record and his extensive tennis background will be a tremendous addition to our program. With Tom on board, it will help us reach our goals and continue to propel our team in the Big 12 and the nation."
"I'd like to thank Coach Smith, his support staff and the K-State administration for giving me the opportunity to join the Wildcat family," Rees said. "K-State is a special place. It felt like home from the minute I stepped on campus. In Coach Smith, the program has a very dynamic and driven leader, and I look forward to helping him develop our ladies into champions on the court and in life."
The Bears' record-breaking 2018-19 season saw the men's side earn its first-ever national ranking, ending the year at No. 20 in the Division II rankings while also earning the team's first appearance in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament semifinal. The women's team also earned its way into the semifinal round of the SAC Tournament for the first time in program history and finished the season as the 33rd-best squad in the country.
Under Rees' tutelage, the Bears' men's squad earned 13 all-conference honors, including six during the 2019 season. The women's side tallied four all-conference accolades over the past three seasons.
In three seasons at Lenoir-Rhyne, Rees collected a 42-23 men's record while the women's team went 38-27. Both sides earned bids to the South Atlantic Conference Tournament each of the last two seasons.
Prior to his time at Lenoir-Rhyne, Rees spent two seasons (2014-16) as the head men's and women's tennis coach at the University of Illinois Springfield. While at UIS, Rees led the women's program to all-time best marks in each of his two seasons, including a record 11 wins in 2015-16.
The Prairie Stars' 13-13 record in 2015-16 marked the first .500-or-better season (men) in the program's Division II era.
Rees had a two-year stint as assistant men's and women's tennis coach at North Georgia, where he was named 2014 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Men's Tennis Southeast Region Assistant Coach of the Year. He helped lead the men's team to a No. 23 Division II ITA ranking while advancing to the Round of 32 at the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
On the women's side, Rees guided the Nighthawks to a then-program-best 12 wins and five conference wins in 2014.
Rees completed his collegiate playing career at UNC Asheville, where he totaled 67 combined victories in his three seasons. He was the 2012 Big South Conference Flight No. 2 doubles champion and was a two-time Big South All-Academic Team honoree.
He competed at Tusculum College as a freshman, going 12-12 and helping the Pioneers reach the South Atlantic Conference championship match and a No. 28 national ranking before transferring to UNC Asheville.
Upon the completion of his collegiate career, Rees went on to compete on the International Tennis Federation's professional circuit in Europe in 2012.
Rees, who is a certified USPTA Elite Professional Tennis Coach and Tennis Performance Trainer, has worked as a travel coaching on the ATP tour with professional players Jose Statham and Marcos Giron.
Rees replaces Megan Kurey, who was appointed as assistant women's tennis coach at Notre Dame after one season at K-State.
A native of Worcestershire, England, Rees graduated from UNC Asheville in 2012 with a degree in French before earning his master's degree from North Georgia in public administration in 2014.
THE TOM REES FILE
Born: June 19, 1990
Hometown: Worcestershire, England
High School: Droitwich Spa High School (Worcestershire, England)
College: UNC Asheville, Bachelor's Degree in French, 2012;
University of North Georgia, Master's Degree in Public Administration, 2014
Family: Wife: Brooke
Playing Career
ITF European Circuit, 2012
UNC Asheville, 2009-12
Tusculum University, 2008-09
Coaching Career
Lenoir-Rhyne University, Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach (Director of Tennis), 2016-19
University of Illinois Springfield, Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach, 2014-16
University of North Georgia, Assistant Men's and Women's Tennis Coach, 2012-14
Travel Coach on the ATP Tour (Jose Statham, Marcos Giron)
Rees, with five years of head coaching experience at the Division II level, has spent the last three seasons leading both the men's and women's programs at Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.). He guided both squads to program-best records in 2018-19, with the men going 18-4 while the women posted an 18-5 mark.
"We are so excited to have Tom and his wife, Brooke, join our K-State tennis family," said Smith, who is entering his second year at the helm of the Wildcats. "Tom has done a wonderful job leading both the men and women at Lenoir-Rhyne over the last three years. I believe his experience as a head coach along with is proven track record and his extensive tennis background will be a tremendous addition to our program. With Tom on board, it will help us reach our goals and continue to propel our team in the Big 12 and the nation."
"I'd like to thank Coach Smith, his support staff and the K-State administration for giving me the opportunity to join the Wildcat family," Rees said. "K-State is a special place. It felt like home from the minute I stepped on campus. In Coach Smith, the program has a very dynamic and driven leader, and I look forward to helping him develop our ladies into champions on the court and in life."
The Bears' record-breaking 2018-19 season saw the men's side earn its first-ever national ranking, ending the year at No. 20 in the Division II rankings while also earning the team's first appearance in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament semifinal. The women's team also earned its way into the semifinal round of the SAC Tournament for the first time in program history and finished the season as the 33rd-best squad in the country.
Under Rees' tutelage, the Bears' men's squad earned 13 all-conference honors, including six during the 2019 season. The women's side tallied four all-conference accolades over the past three seasons.
In three seasons at Lenoir-Rhyne, Rees collected a 42-23 men's record while the women's team went 38-27. Both sides earned bids to the South Atlantic Conference Tournament each of the last two seasons.
Prior to his time at Lenoir-Rhyne, Rees spent two seasons (2014-16) as the head men's and women's tennis coach at the University of Illinois Springfield. While at UIS, Rees led the women's program to all-time best marks in each of his two seasons, including a record 11 wins in 2015-16.
The Prairie Stars' 13-13 record in 2015-16 marked the first .500-or-better season (men) in the program's Division II era.
Rees had a two-year stint as assistant men's and women's tennis coach at North Georgia, where he was named 2014 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Men's Tennis Southeast Region Assistant Coach of the Year. He helped lead the men's team to a No. 23 Division II ITA ranking while advancing to the Round of 32 at the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
On the women's side, Rees guided the Nighthawks to a then-program-best 12 wins and five conference wins in 2014.
Rees completed his collegiate playing career at UNC Asheville, where he totaled 67 combined victories in his three seasons. He was the 2012 Big South Conference Flight No. 2 doubles champion and was a two-time Big South All-Academic Team honoree.
He competed at Tusculum College as a freshman, going 12-12 and helping the Pioneers reach the South Atlantic Conference championship match and a No. 28 national ranking before transferring to UNC Asheville.
Upon the completion of his collegiate career, Rees went on to compete on the International Tennis Federation's professional circuit in Europe in 2012.
Rees, who is a certified USPTA Elite Professional Tennis Coach and Tennis Performance Trainer, has worked as a travel coaching on the ATP tour with professional players Jose Statham and Marcos Giron.
Rees replaces Megan Kurey, who was appointed as assistant women's tennis coach at Notre Dame after one season at K-State.
A native of Worcestershire, England, Rees graduated from UNC Asheville in 2012 with a degree in French before earning his master's degree from North Georgia in public administration in 2014.
THE TOM REES FILE
Born: June 19, 1990
Hometown: Worcestershire, England
High School: Droitwich Spa High School (Worcestershire, England)
College: UNC Asheville, Bachelor's Degree in French, 2012;
University of North Georgia, Master's Degree in Public Administration, 2014
Family: Wife: Brooke
Playing Career
ITF European Circuit, 2012
UNC Asheville, 2009-12
Tusculum University, 2008-09
Coaching Career
Lenoir-Rhyne University, Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach (Director of Tennis), 2016-19
University of Illinois Springfield, Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach, 2014-16
University of North Georgia, Assistant Men's and Women's Tennis Coach, 2012-14
Travel Coach on the ATP Tour (Jose Statham, Marcos Giron)
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