Dunbar Joins Men's Tennis Coaching Staff

NORMAN — University of Oklahoma head men's tennis coach Nick Crowell announced Ben Dunbar as associate head coach on Friday.

Dunbar comes to Norman after a five-year head coaching tenure with the University of New Mexico men's tennis program from 2016-21, where he led the Lobos to back-to-back Mountain West Conference championships and was named the 2021 Mountain West Coach of the Year.

"We are thrilled to have Ben and his family join our program," Crowell said. "Ben is known nationally and internationally as one of the top coaches in collegiate tennis. He brings with him tremendous passion, energy and experience to our program."

The Nottingham, England, product was named head coach of the Lobos after serving three years as the assistant coach under Bart Scott. In Dunbar's first year as an assistant coach, New Mexico made the NCAA Championships for the first time in six years. Additionally, he earned ITA Mountain Region Assistant Coach of the Year.

During his time as head coach, Dunbar notched a 54-49 overall and 21-7 conference records. Under his leadership, the Lobos won the 2019 and 2021 Mountain West titles and made the NCAA tournament in 2021.

"I want to thank Coach Nick Crowell and Athletics Director Joe Castiglione for the opportunity to join a school and program that is competing for national championships and excellence in tennis and every sport," Dunbar said.

Dunbar enjoyed a collegiate playing career at UNM, registering a 55-49 singles record and a 73-34 doubles mark. During his senior campaign he went 20-15 in singles action and 27-9 in doubles play. The 27 doubles wins represented the sixth-highest single-season total in program history. Additionally, he reached an ITA doubles ranking of 30.

Dunbar was a five-time All-Mountain West honoree, earning the accolade three times in singles and twice in doubles. He was a Mountain West all-academic selection each possible year and was named a Mountain West Scholar-Athlete in 2012. Additionally, he earned ITA Scholar Athlete honors his junior and senior seasons with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Dunbar earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from UNM in 2012. While working on his master's degree in sports administration – which he earned from UNM in 2016 – he served as the Lobos' volunteer coach from 2012-14.

"Ben is ready to continue the tradition of winning championships and building Oklahoma tennis into the nation's best program," Crowell said.

Added Dunbar, "My wife, Beth, daughter, Olivia, and I are excited to be Sooners and to be a part of the family here at OU. I look forward to partnering with Nick and our student-athletes to maximize our potential and compete for championships. I can't wait to get to work with this group."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Dunbar Joins Men's Tennis Coaching Staff

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors