Since 1971, four coaches have helped alter the perception of Women’s Tennis: Joan Greiner (1971-1981), Gail Smith (1983-1999), Nathan Simms (2000-2006), and Mike Morgan (2006-).

Joan Greiner:

          One of the first prominent female athletic figures at Middlebury was Coach Joan Greiner. Greiner did her undergraduate work at Westbrook Junior College and Skidmore and received her M.S. in physical education from Smith. Greiner, who coached field hockey, basketball, volleyball and a number of other women’s sports during her 27 year tenure at Middlebury, arrived in 1960 when many sports were still considered “too rough and too unladylike” for women to play. She was the first ever women’s Intercollegiate Head Coach (1971-1981) and was best known for her “never give up attitude.” With such a mentality, Greiner compiled a combined 58-27-3 record as the Women’s Head Tennis Coach and opened the doors of women’s tennis to Middlebury.

Gail Smith:

          Gail Smith succeeded Joan Greiner and became the Middlebury women’s tennis head coach from 1971-2000. From 1987-2000, Smith then served as both the head coach of the men’s and women’s tennis programs. Prior to that, she was the head coach of the track and field teams from 1983-1987, and an assistant women’s lacrosse coach from 1977-1983. She coached a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champion in women’s tennis, Helen Motter,  as well as a NCAA championship doubles team. In 1987, she became the assistant director of athletics, and then in 2001 the became associate director of athletics.

          In addition to her coaching obligations, Smith has been closely involved in many administrative duties. As the director of athletic operations she had much responsibility for and oversight of the $80 million renovations and construction of the college’s new athletics complex. She has also been tournament director for a number of NCAA events hosted by the college. From that, she was designated by the NCAA to document and monitor statistics for an ongoing evaluation of gender equality in athletics as defined by the rules of Title IX.

          Smith has been actively involved in various professional committees, including and the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Coaching Symposium for Women core planning committee, the NCAA Women of the Year and Sportsmanship of the Year selection committees; and the NCAA conference grants guidelines committee. She also was the overseeing liaison for the  development of a new conference championship and scheduling model for both women’s and men’s tennis.

          In 2005, Middlebury awarded Smith received with the Middlebury College Faculty Feminist of the Year Award for her unwavering leadership with young women athletes. Due to her activism in women’s athletics, she was awarded multiple NCAA initiative grants to fund NESCAC coaching symposia for female conference student athletes.

          In 1966, Smith graduated from the State University of New York at New Paltz and in 1996 earned a master’s in education from University of Vermont. She is currently working on her doctorate from the University of Vermont.

Nathan Simms:

          Nathan Simms succeeded coach Gael Smith and coached at Middlebury College from 2000-2006. Under his direction, the Panthers consistently ranked in the national top-20 and earned four trips to the NCAA Division III Tournament.  He compiled at combined record of 75-29 during his six seasons as the Women’s Head Tennis Coach. In 2005, the team advanced to the NCC semifinals, earning Simms  ITA Northeast and New England Small College Athletic Conference coach of the year awards. Simms graduated from Middlebury in 1992 and played four years for the Panthers.  He continues to play in regional tournaments and is regionally ranked by the USTA in men’s singles and doubles.

 

Mike Morgan:

          Mike Morgan is the current Women’s Head Tennis coach. Since coming to Middlebury, Morgan has compiled a combined 87-43 record throughout his first seven seasons. In 2007 and 2013 his teams  reached the NCAA Quarterfinals; and six out of his seven teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Following the 2008 season, Morgan was named NESCAC Coach of the Year.

          Prior to Middlebury, Morgan served as the men’s and women’s Head Tennis Coach at fellow NESCAC school, Colby College. Additionally at Colby, he served as the assistant coach for the men’s and women’s squash teams. In fact, during the 2006-2007 season he served as head coach of the women’s squash team.

          Prior to Middlebury, Morgan was the head coach at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in California. He led the Stags to an 8-0 record and a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Title. In the 2001-2002 season he coached his doubles team to a national title, and in the 2002-2003 season his team was ranked ninth nationally.

          From 1996-1997, Morgan served as the assistant men’s tennis coach at the College of William and Mary and from  1997-2000 held the same role while at Notre Dame. In 2000, he was named the ITA Regional Assistant Coach of the Year at Notre Dame.

          Morgan was a scholarship tennis player at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California where he graduated in 1996.