By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University has hired Tyler Linscott as the Director of Tennis. Linscott, who begins his duties immediately, will be the head coach of the men's and women's tennis teams, and will oversee all aspects of both programs.

Linscott joins Willamette after serving as the assistant men's tennis coach at Amherst College (Mass.) since June of 2021. Linscott began his college coaching career as the assistant men's tennis coach at Linfield University from 2017-18 through 2018-19, and from February 2021 through May of 2021. He was the head men's and women's tennis coach at Illinois College in 2019-20. In addition, he worked as an instructor at the Smith Perry Tennis Academy from 2014 through 2017 and was a senior pro at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy/Sportime from July of 2020 through February of 2021.

"We are very excited that Tyler will be leading our tennis programs," Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Rob Passage said. "His approach to tennis, plans for both of our teams, and energy around coaching and recruiting at Willamette really resonated with our students and staff. I look forward to his arrival and the start of practice in a few weeks."

As he begins his duties at Willamette, Linscott is already very familiar with the Northwest Conference. He earned First Team All-NWC honors at Linfield in 2017 while playing #1 singles and #1 doubles for the Wildcats. He previously played tennis at Whittier College from 2013-16. He helped Whittier's team earn a #19 ranking in NCAA Division III. Along the way, he earned several wins over top 10 nationally-ranked doubles teams. Linscott received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Linfield in 2018.

"I look forward to giving these student-athletes the best possible experience," Linscott said about leading the WU tennis teams. "I also look forward to rebuilding the programs and striving to compete with the best teams in the conference and the country."

Linscott takes over the Willamette tennis programs with a good knowledge of Willamette and the Northwest Conference.

"Willamette is an excellent academic school in an amazing conference," he noted. "That makes it very appealing for recruits as well as myself wanting to live in a great area and compete in the Pacific Northwest."

Although a young head coach, Linscott already has developed a significant amount of experience and knowledge. His efforts as a head coach at Illinois College and his assistant coaching work at Linfield and Amherst have provided him with a great understanding of what it takes to compete in NCAA Division III and the NWC. And excelled at helping develop and improve tennis players.

"I have learned that no matter where you are coaching, the relationship you have with your players is the most important factor in being able to get the most out of every athlete," Linscott commented. "My top duties are having my student-athletes succeed on the court as well as in the classroom, and bringing in more students who will lead the program to great success on and off the court. I always have positive energy and I'm able to adjust to how my players learn best."