JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – East Tennessee State University Athletic Director Dr. Richard Sander announced on Thursday that Ricky Rojas was promoted to ETSU’s Director of Tennis.
Rojas, who served as head coach for ETSU’s women’s tennis program from 2016-23, will now oversee both the men’s and women’s programs.
“We are excited to have Ricky serve as our Director of Tennis,” said Sander. “Ricky has done a tremendous job coaching our women’s team over the last seven years and also did an exceptional job stepping in to lead our men’s program to a Southern Conference Championship this past spring. His teams excel both on and off the court. Ricky is an ETSU alum and he is the right fit to lead both of our tennis programs.”
Rojas wrapped up his seventh season leading the Buccaneer women’s tennis program as they captured the Southern Conference tournament title and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2016. This past spring, Rojas won his 100th career match in a 6-1 win over UNCG on March 11, while the women finished the season with an overall record of 19-8 and were ranked ninth in the final Ohio Valley Region ranking of the season. The Bucs registered their 20th straight winning season – the last seven of which came under Rojas’ watch.
Rojas earned his third straight SoCon Coach of the Year honor this past season, while he has received the honor four times in his career – including once on the men’s side in 2017. Rojas became the first SoCon women’s tennis coach to garner three straight Coach of the Year honors since Furman and SoCon Hall of Famer Debbie Southern won the award seven straight years from 2003-09.
In his seven seasons coaching the ETSU women’s tennis program, Rojas has generated a .624-win percentage, while going 37-7 in conference action. This past 2022-23 season, Rojas coached Laylo Bakhodirova to SoCon Player of the Year honors, marking the Bucs’ first SoCon Player of the Year honor since 1992.
Rojas began his coaching career in 2008 when he served as an assistant for the men’s program until being named head coach for the women in 2016.
“Being an ETSU alum, it’s exciting to be given the opportunity to lead both our men’s and women’s tennis programs,” said Rojas. “I look forward to the challenge to carry on the great tradition of success of both teams. I’d like to thank Doc (Dr. Richard Sander) and ETSU leadership for trusting me to lead both programs. Go Bucs!”
Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Rojas played for the Bucs from 2005-07 after transferring from Arkansas-Little Rock. In the 2005-06 season, the Blue & Gold went 19-7 overall and posted a perfect 8-0 mark in ASUN play en route to winning the regular season title. A later, the Bucs went 23-5 and 8-0 in conference action as ETSU swept both the ASUN regular-season and tournament titles. The Blue & Gold earned the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, where ETSU faced 17th-ranked Alabama. Rojas posted a 9-4 overall singles record, including going 8-3 in tournament play.
Rojas is certified in the USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association) as an Elite Professional and also certified in the USPTR (Professional Tennis Registry) as a professional.
Rojas earned his bachelor’s in management and marketing and MBA, MPA and a master's in sport management — all at ETSU.