Rising Coaches Program

Rising Coaches is a two-week, intensive, online program that assists current and former college tennis players that are interested in
pursuing a career in college tennis coaching.

Objectives

Participants in the Rising Coaches program can expect to:

TCU Asst Coach

Coaching Preparation

1. Be prepared with the expectations, responsibilities & desired abilities of an assistant coach.

2. Increase their comprehension of the competencies necessary for a career in college coaching.

MIT Coach 2024

Self-Awareness & Leadership

3. Gain an understanding of their
potential leadership traits
& values.

4. Be educated on the importance
of fair play & integrity.

Career Advancement

5. Have the foundation to begin building their network within college tennis coaching.

      6. Understand how to prepare for the hiring process.

Application Process & Requirements

Who Can Apply?

1. Former college tennis players who exhausted their eligibility in Spring 2026 or prior, &/or
2. Current student-athletes who will exhaust their eligibility in the 2026-27 school year.

Deadline: TBA

How Do I Apply?

Use the link below to access the online application form.

Completed applications need:

1. a current resume,
2. a statement about the impact of college tennis on you,
3. a letter of recommendation from your Head Coach.

What is the Cost?

1. $75 – Applicants who exhausted their athletic eligibility between 2024-2026 or are current student-athletes.
NCAA rules permit institutions to pay for a student-athlete’s actual & necessary expenses to participate in the Rising Coaches program. See our FAQ’s for bylaw information.

2. $100 – All other applicants.

Program Content

Below are the topics covered in each module, which is made up of video content, assignments, and live Zoom sessions.
Participants who complete Rising Coaches will be given a certificate of completion, and their resumes will be featured in the ITA’s “Looking for a Coach?” database that can be accessed by our 1,300 head coaches.

Assistant Coaching 101

Welcome & Expectations
Navigating Change
From Athlete to Coach
A Glimpse into Head Coaching

You: As a Leader

Take the Coach DISC Profile
Deep dive into CoachDISC results
Your Traits & Values as a Leader

Rules, Sportsmanship & Ethics

The Written & Unwritten Rules
Take the ITA Officials Test
Effects of On Court Behavior

Networking & the Hiring Process

Articulating Your Skills & Values
Creating a Network
Getting Hired

FAQ

Have questions? Explore the FAQ section to find the information you need. If you can’t find your answer, contact Lauren Conching, Director of Coach Education at lconching@itatennis.com

Permissive legislation allows for NCAA D1 (Bylaw 16.3.1.1), NCAA DII (Bylaw 16.3.1.1) and NCAA DIII (Bylaw 16.11.1.15) institutions to pay for a student-athlete’s actual & necessary expenses to participate in the ITA’s Rising Coaches program.

The next session will be available in May/June 2025 .

Absolutely! This short program will give you practical insight, advice and connections that will help you as you navigate your first year of college coaching.

Once you have finished the program, you will receive a certificate of completion, and your resume will be put into our “Need an Assistant Coach?” database and promoted to head coaches.

Yes! This program is open to any former college tennis player who has not previously been hired as a college tennis coach.