June 19, 2023

Pope announces Parker as new head men’s and women’s tennis coach

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman Vice President for Athletics Matthew Pope announced the hiring of 2018 MIAA and ITA Central Region Coach of the Year Jon Parker to be the Eagles’ next tennis mentor in a press conference Monday morning in the Eagle Club Room on Carson-Newman’s campus.

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman Vice President for Athletics Matthew Pope announced the hiring of 2018 MIAA and ITA Central Region Coach of the Year Jon Parker to be the Eagles' next tennis mentor in a press conference Monday morning in the Eagle Club Room on Carson-Newman's campus.

Jon Parker takes over the full-time role from Jim Frederick after he coached both men's and women's tennis teams into the top 50 of the ITA rankings. The Oklahoma-native makes his way to the banks of Mossy Creek after a four-year stretch at Southwest Minnesota State.

"As is always our desire," Pope said. "We were looking for a candidate with integrity, character and competence. Someone who is a high achiever and knows how to win. Someone who is a good teacher, effective communicator and a good recruiting. We wanted someone who is a good fit for Carson-Newman. We believe Mr. Jon Parker fits all those attributes."

In his first full season as head coach in 2021, SMSU had one of its most successful seasons in nearly 15 years, closing with a 9-8 overall record, including 8-3 in NSIC play. The third-place regular season finish was the program's highest since 2008, while the semifinal appearance in the NSIC Tournament was its first since the 2009 season. SMSU's winning record was just its third since the 1998 season.

"This is a place for us to settle in," Parker said. "I've always wanted to be near like-minded people, and its wonderful to be in a place that shares those beliefs and standards. I want us to be class acts on the court with players who will support one another and play with class. I want us to be hard workers and be competitive wherever we go."

SMSU improved even more during the 2022 spring season setting a program Division II record with 17 victories and advanced to the NSIC Tournament semifinals for the second straight season. Parker finished his tenure with the Mustangs with a 33-41 record, including a 22-19 mark in NSIC matches during his tenure.

Parker has been a successful head coach at both the collegiate and high school levels for more than 20 years, which includes winning six high school state championships. At the collegiate level, he served a successful stint as the head women's tennis coach at NCAA Division II Northeastern State University (Okla.) from 2016-18.

Parker was named head coach at Northeastern State in October of 2016 and during his two seasons helped lead the RiverHawks to a 39-11 overall record, including 18-0 in conference play and a pair of NCAA Tournaments. He coached seven all-conference players, one conference Player of the Year during his tenure.

In his first season in 2017, NSU won the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) regular season and tournament championships, along with the NCAA Central Region title. The team advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 and finished with a 19-6 record.

In 2018, NSU finished 20-5 overall, won the MIAA regular season and tournament championships, the NCAA Central Region title and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight. NSU finished the season ranked No. 7 in the final ITA Top 25 poll. For his efforts, Parker was named the 2018 MIAA and ITA Central Region Coach of the Year.

Prior to taking over at NSU, Parker was the head boys' and girls' tennis coach at Bixby High School in Bixby, Okla., from 2009-16, which included a region boys' championship in Class 6A during the 2016 season.

Prior to Bixby, Parker was the head boys' tennis coach and softball coach at Cascia Hall Prep in Tulsa, Okla., from 2005-09. The Commandos dominated Class 4A tennis winning four-straight state titles from 2006-09.

Parker also served as head boys' and girls' tennis coach at both Okmulgee High School (1997-2000, 2002-04) in Oklahoma and Wichita Falls High School (2002-04) in Texas. He led the Okmulgee boys' to back-to-back Class 4A state championships in 1999 and 2000.

During his high school career, Parker coached 26 state champions in single and doubles, 19 state runners-up and had 19 student-athletes named all-state.

Parker is a 1994 graduate of Northeastern State University with a degree in science education. He earned his master's degree in health, physical education and recreation from Emporia State University in 2016.

Parker is also certified as a USPTA Professional and has extensive experience as an academy coach and teaching professional.

Jon and his wife, Samantha, have two daughters, Dakota and Florence. Jon also has one adult daughter.