JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Illinois College Director of Athletics
Mike Snyder has announced the hiring of Tyler Linscott to lead the IC men's and women's tennis programs beginning with the upcoming 2019-20 seasons. Linscott was a successful Division III player and has spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach at Linfield College.
"I would like to thank
Mike Snyder, President Farley, and the entire search committee for this great opportunity," Linscott said. "I am really excited to continue to build this program and work with our great student-athletes. Our goal is to build a championship-level program and we have all of the pieces here to create that culture."
A native of Tucson, Ariz., Linscott began his college career at Whittier College in California. He was a member of the men's tennis team for three seasons and the squad reached as high as 19th in the nation during his time with the program. When Whittier's head coach took a position at Linfield, Linscott went with him, finishing his career by playing No. 1 singles and doubles for the Wildcats and earning First Team All-Northwest Conference honors.
After wrapping up his playing career, Linscott joined the coaching staff at Linfield, serving as an assistant men's tennis coach for the past two seasons. Prior to coaching in college, he had gained experience by working at the Smith Perry Tennis Academy in Tucson for over three years.
"I am excited about the energy that Tyler brings to the program," said Director of Athletics
Mike Snyder. "His passion for Division III tennis and his plan for developing championship-level programs set him apart during our search. I look forward to seeing the ongoing growth of both programs and am excited about the leadership that Tyler will bring."
The Illinois College tennis teams managed solid seasons in 2018-19 despite lacking a full-time head coach.
Sonthana Thongsithavong took over the two programs on an interim basis and helped lead the Lady Blues to five wins during the Fall season and the Blueboys to a school-record nine wins during the Spring. The season wrapped up with
Miguel Vaca making it to the championship match of No. 1 singles at the Midwest Conference Championships.
Linscott will begin his head coaching duties at IC later this summer.
