September 26, 2025

Dustin Hale Appointed Head Men’s Tennis Coach at UNC Asheville

Asheville, NC, September 26, 2025

News Summary

Dustin Hale has been named the new Head Men’s Tennis Coach for the University of North Carolina at Asheville, effective July 16, 2025. Hale, who previously coached at Sweet Briar College, is recognized as the winningest head coach in that program’s history. His teams achieved significant success, including multiple championship appearances and academic honors. Hale expressed enthusiasm about joining the UNC Asheville athletics community.

Asheville, North Carolina – Dustin Hale has been appointed as the new Head Men’s Tennis Coach for the University of North Carolina at Asheville, effective July 16, 2025. This announcement was made by Janet R. Cone, the Director of Athletics at UNC Asheville.

Hale becomes the 11th head coach in the history of the UNC Asheville men’s tennis program. His extensive coaching experience includes eight successful seasons at Sweet Briar College, where he established himself as the winningest head coach in the program’s history with an impressive record of 105-59. Under his direction, Sweet Briar’s tennis program achieved notable success, finishing the recent season with a 15-7 record and winning the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III Women’s Tennis Championship.

During his tenure at Sweet Briar, Hale led the Vixens to three consecutive Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship appearances from 2021 to 2023. His teams managed remarkable conference records of 9-1 in both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. Notably, in the 2020-21 season, he coached two individuals to the NCAA Division III Women’s Tennis Doubles Championship, marking the Vixens’ first appearance in the tournament since 1990. The Vixens concluded that season with a dual-season record of 15-6, achieving a winning percentage of .778, the highest since 2003.

Hale’s coaching prowess earned him several accolades, including being recognized as the ODAC Coach of the Year and the Virginia Sports Information Directors Coach of the Year in 2021. In addition to athletic success, Hale has emphasized academic excellence, with 51 ODAC All-Academic Honorees and multiple ITA academic recognitions attributed to his teams.

Prior to his successful run at Sweet Briar, Hale held head coaching positions for both the men’s and women’s teams at North Carolina Wesleyan College, where he secured a USA South regular season and tournament title in his debut season. He also led teams to the NCAA Division III Men’s Tennis Championship Tournament. Hale began his coaching career as an assistant at N.C. Wesleyan and made his collegiate head coaching debut at Emory & Henry College.

Hale’s background includes playing four seasons of tennis at N.C. Wesleyan, where he concluded his senior year with a 6-1 singles record. He graduated from N.C. Wesleyan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and religious studies in 2009. Expressing enthusiasm about joining the UNC Asheville athletics community, Hale highlighted the support and ambition within the program.

FAQ

Who is the new Head Men’s Tennis Coach at UNC Asheville?

Dustin Hale was announced as the new Head Men’s Tennis Coach for UNC Asheville on July 16, 2025.

How long did Dustin Hale coach at Sweet Briar College?

Hale previously coached for eight seasons at Sweet Briar College, where he was the winningest head coach in the program’s history, with a record of 105-59.

What were some achievements of Hale’s teams at Sweet Briar?

Under Hale’s leadership, Sweet Briar College’s tennis program had a successful season, finishing with a 15-7 record and winning the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III Women’s Tennis Championship. He led the Vixens to three consecutive Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship appearances from 2021 to 2023.

What recognition has Hale received for his coaching?

Hale was recognized as the ODAC Coach of the Year and the Virginia Sports Information Directors Coach of the Year in 2021.

What educational background does Dustin Hale have?

Hale graduated from N.C. Wesleyan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and religious studies in 2009.

Key Features of Dustin Hale’s Coaching Career

Feature	Details
New Position	Head Men’s Tennis Coach, UNC Asheville
Previous Coaching	Sweet Briar College (8 seasons; Record: 105-59)
2019 Achievements	Eastern College Athletic Conference Champion (15-7 record)
Championship Appearances	3 consecutive ODAC Championships (2021-2023)
NCAA Achievements	Two individuals to NCAA Division III Women’s Doubles Championship
Awards	ODAC Coach of the Year, Virginia Sports Information Directors Coach of the Year (2021)
Educational Background	B.A. in Psychology and Religious Studies, N.C. Wesleyan (2009)