Kris Diehl has been named the Coe women's tennis head coach, while Eric Rodgers will coach the men.
Tennis - Wed, May. 28, 2014 at 3:45 PM
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Coe College Director of Athletics John Chandler has announced the hiring of Kris Diehl as the new head coach of the Kohawk women's tennis program. Diehl takes over for Eric Rodgers, who will focus on coaching the men's program.
A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Diehl came to Coe in the spring of 2010 as an assistant men's and women's coach. The Iowa City native was named the Most Valuable Player for the Huskies her sophomore season. As a junior, she posted a team-best 17 doubles wins and 15 singles victories as she earned the Coaches Award. She was also a member of the Northern Illinois soccer team her senior season, earning a varsity letter in both sports.
"We are pleased to have someone with the background that Kris has leading our program," Chandler said. "By bringing in Kris to coach the women's team, it will allow both her and Coach Rodgers to focus on one team apiece. This was the next logical move as the Kohawks continue to compete on the regional and national stage."
The Kohawks have won three-straight Iowa Conference Championships, with Diehl as the top assistant for all three. Coe has had four-straight Iowa Conference MVPs, while they have also had eight of the last nine. This past fall, Diehl was named the Iowa Conference Coach of the Year for the first time.
"I have enjoyed, and learned a great deal, over the past five years as part of the Kohawk tennis program," Diehl said. "For this, I give credit to the numerous players, fellow assistant coaches Rob Rye and Brad Fenter, and most importantly, coach Rodgers. Without the tutelage of Coach Rodgers, I would not be prepared for the task at hand. I look forward to what is ahead for Kohawk tennis and feel honored to have been given a greater role within. The women's program has made strides in the past five years. I am excited to lead the players and program through the terrain of a continued climb. The emphasis will remain on player and team growth, on and off the court."
Rodgers has been named the Iowa Conference Coach of the Year five times on the women's side and six times on the men's side. The Kohawk men have also won three-straight Iowa Conference Championships and nine since joining the league.
"The transition from one head coach to two separate head coaches has been a discussion point between myself and John Chandler for the better part of the past 10 years," Rodgers said. "The time for change is now as both the men and women have firmly established themselves as consistent regionally competitive teams; requiring an extensive amount of training and play during the spring semester. The job is too large for one person. We are fortunate to have coach Kris available and willing to take on extra responsibilities. She brings great leadership and the abilities to further the success of the women's program. I hope to be able to continue to contribute to the women's team as coach Kris deems fit."
The 2014-15 campaign kicks off Aug. 31, as the Coe women travel to Lake Forest, Ill. to face Lake Forest and Edgewood. Coe will open the home portion of the schedule Sept. 6, as the Kohawks host Buena Vista and Wisconsin-Oshkosh at Clark Racquet Center.
A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Diehl came to Coe in the spring of 2010 as an assistant men's and women's coach. The Iowa City native was named the Most Valuable Player for the Huskies her sophomore season. As a junior, she posted a team-best 17 doubles wins and 15 singles victories as she earned the Coaches Award. She was also a member of the Northern Illinois soccer team her senior season, earning a varsity letter in both sports.
"We are pleased to have someone with the background that Kris has leading our program," Chandler said. "By bringing in Kris to coach the women's team, it will allow both her and Coach Rodgers to focus on one team apiece. This was the next logical move as the Kohawks continue to compete on the regional and national stage."
The Kohawks have won three-straight Iowa Conference Championships, with Diehl as the top assistant for all three. Coe has had four-straight Iowa Conference MVPs, while they have also had eight of the last nine. This past fall, Diehl was named the Iowa Conference Coach of the Year for the first time.
"I have enjoyed, and learned a great deal, over the past five years as part of the Kohawk tennis program," Diehl said. "For this, I give credit to the numerous players, fellow assistant coaches Rob Rye and Brad Fenter, and most importantly, coach Rodgers. Without the tutelage of Coach Rodgers, I would not be prepared for the task at hand. I look forward to what is ahead for Kohawk tennis and feel honored to have been given a greater role within. The women's program has made strides in the past five years. I am excited to lead the players and program through the terrain of a continued climb. The emphasis will remain on player and team growth, on and off the court."
Rodgers has been named the Iowa Conference Coach of the Year five times on the women's side and six times on the men's side. The Kohawk men have also won three-straight Iowa Conference Championships and nine since joining the league.
"The transition from one head coach to two separate head coaches has been a discussion point between myself and John Chandler for the better part of the past 10 years," Rodgers said. "The time for change is now as both the men and women have firmly established themselves as consistent regionally competitive teams; requiring an extensive amount of training and play during the spring semester. The job is too large for one person. We are fortunate to have coach Kris available and willing to take on extra responsibilities. She brings great leadership and the abilities to further the success of the women's program. I hope to be able to continue to contribute to the women's team as coach Kris deems fit."
The 2014-15 campaign kicks off Aug. 31, as the Coe women travel to Lake Forest, Ill. to face Lake Forest and Edgewood. Coe will open the home portion of the schedule Sept. 6, as the Kohawks host Buena Vista and Wisconsin-Oshkosh at Clark Racquet Center.
