FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –After helping lead Arkansas to its most wins in a season since 1986, assistant coach Hunter Nicholas has been promoted to associate head coach as announced by men’s tennis head coach Jay Udwadia.
“Hunter has been an integral part of our growth as a program over the last two seasons. He has shown incredible leadership and has earned the promotion to associate head coach,” head coach Jay Udwadia said. “I believe that he will continue to develop personally and professionally as there is growing excitement within our program right now. We are excited for him and his family to continue to be a part of Razorback Nation.”
Nicholas enters his third season on staff and recently assisted the Razorbacks to a historical 2024 season, including a nine-win improvement from the 2023 season, the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth since 2021, and the most wins in a season since 1986 (21). The Hogs achieved a season-high ITA team ranking of No. 28 and defeated 11 teams that finished in the final ITA top-75 team rankings. Arkansas concluded the year with its highest year-end ITA team ranking since 2016 (No. 31).
During his time as assistant coach, Nicholas coached All-SEC Second Team honoree Gerard Planelles Ripoll in addition to the program’s first two All-Americans since 2018 with Božo Barun and Jared Horwood earning ITA Doubles All-American honors after advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2024 NCAA Doubles Championship.
Under Nicholas, Planelles Ripoll also received SEC Player of the Week honors in April 2024 and finished this season with a year-end singles ranking of No. 96. Barun and Horwood concluded this year with a season-high doubles ranking of No. 28. Nicholas played a vital role in the development of Connor Smillie, who earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors in February 2024.
