McMindes to Coach Trinity Women's Tennis

McMindes to Coach Trinity Women's Tennis

(Story courtesy of the Trinity University website)

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Trinity University Director of Athletics Bob King has announced Russell McMindes, the Tigers men’s tennis coach, will assume additional duties as interim head coach of the women’s team.

Coach McMindes takes over the helm of the women’s team from Ryan Takao, who resigned after three seasons as head coach. Jacob McMindes, who has been a part-time men’s assistant coach, will also serve as the full-time assistant for the women’s squad.

The appointments were the recommendations of Trinity’s Director of Tennis Butch Newman.

“I am extremely excited about Russell providing the same leadership and success he has had going for the men’s team, and transitioning it to the women’s team,” said Coach Newman, a longtime Trinity coach who led both Tiger teams to the NCAA Division III Championships in 2000. “ At the same time, it keeps the McMindes brothers tandem intact. Their leadership, high-minded values, enthusiasm, and energy will be a huge plus for the women’s team.”

Coach McMindes has been the men’s coach for two seasons, leading the Tigers to the NCAA Division III Tournament both years. Trinity advanced to the national quarterfinals, after capturing the regional tournaments. The Tigers also won their second consecutive Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship.

“We will translate a lot of what we provide the men in structure, workouts, and energy to the women’s team,”said Coach McMindes, who was elected SCAC Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year for the second straight time. "We have a young group of players we are excited about. If you are organized and have a plan, you can instill something which can be done in a successful manner.”

Coach McMindes also coached recent graduates Cory Kowal and Bobby Cocanougher to the 2010 NCAA Doubles Championship match. The Tiger duo won the National Small College Championships Division III Doubles title in October. Last May, Max Frey advanced to the NCAA Singles semifinals, becoming the first Tiger player to achieve that feat since 2006.

Coach McMindes spent seven seasons as the Tiger men's assistant coach, prior to taking over the reins in the fall of 2009. He was named the 2009 Intercollegiate Tennis Association West Region Men's Tennis Assistant of the Year.

As a player, Coach McMindes was a three-year letter winner for the Tigers, and was a member of Trinity's 2000 NCAA Division III national championship team. Coach McMindes earned All-SCAC honors for three years. Before joining the Trinity program, Coach McMindes played for one season for Oklahoma Christian University, and became a Tiger his sophomore year.

Coach McMindes earned a bachelor's degree from Trinity in engineering science in 2002, with a concentration in chemical engineering. A resident of San Antonio, he was the Clemens High School valedictorian in 1997.

Jacob McMindes was named the 2011 ITA Division III West Region Men's Assistant Coach of the Year, the same honor his brother received. Coach McMindes graduated from San Antonio's University of the Incarnate Word in May 2009. He played four years for the successful Cardinal program, which competes in the NCAA Division II. Coach McMindes was named to the Heartland Conference First Team, and was second-team all-region in doubles.

Trinity’s women’s team captured third place, for the last two years, at the SCAC Championships, and reached the team final in 2009. The Tiger women have also been represented at the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships.