Bio

Joined Staff:  July 2011

Education:  B.S. -Texas A&M University, M.Ed.-UT-Tyler

Coaching Experience:  Tyler Junior College(2011-Present)

Connell was named the 4th tennis coach in the history of TJC in 2011. Since then, he has led the women’s program to 6 national championships (2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022) and the men’s program to 4 national championships (2013, 2018, 2019, and 2021). He has coached 43 ITA All-Americans on the women’s team and 46 ITA All-Americans on the men’s team.

Connell has served as the NJCAA Women’s Tennis Coaches’ Association President (2015-2017) and the NJCAA Men’s Tennis Coaches’ Association President (2018-Present). He has also served on the ITA Coaches Operating Committee as one of 2 Junior College Chairs for the nation (2017-Present).

Connell has sent multiple players on to high level 4-year institutions after their time at TJC. They have gone to universities like: University of Texas, University of Texas A&M, Oklahoma State University, Mississippi State University, University of Louisville, Oklahoma University, Florida State University, UCLA, Alabama, University of Miami, TCU, and Tennessee. Overall, there have been up to 17 players that have signed with a Power 5 school since Connell has been the coach.

Awards:

· NJCAA Men’s National Team Champion: 2013, 2018, 2019, 2021

· NJCAA Men’s National Team Runner-up: 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017

· NJCAA Women’s National Team Champion: 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022

· NJCAA Women’s National Team Runner-up: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019

· Wilson/ITA NJCAA National Women’s Coach of the Year: 2014, 2019, 2022

· Wilson/ITA NJCAA National Men’s Coach of the Year: 2022

· Wilson/ITA NJCAA Region 2 Men’s Coach of the Year: 2017, 2019

· NJCAA Herschel Stephens Award for Service: 2018

· USPTA National College Coach of the Year 2014

· USPTA Texas College Coach of the Year 2013