News Summary
Dustin Hale has been appointed the new Head Men’s Tennis Coach at UNC Asheville. With extensive coaching experience and a successful track record, Hale brings strong leadership to the program, after leading Sweet Briar College’s women’s tennis team to remarkable achievements. His appointment signifies a new era for the UNC Asheville tennis program, promising both athletic and academic excellence.
Asheville, NC – Dustin Hale Appointed Head Men’s Tennis Coach at UNC Asheville
Dustin Hale has been appointed as the new Head Men’s Tennis Coach at UNC Asheville, marking a significant leadership change within the program. The announcement was made on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, by Director of Athletics, Janet R. Cone. Hale steps into the role as the 11th head coach in the history of the program, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success.
Janet R. Cone expressed her enthusiasm for Hale’s leadership qualities, emphasizing his capability to create and nurture successful tennis programs. Hale joins UNC Asheville after spending eight seasons at Sweet Briar College, where he served as the head coach of the women’s tennis team. During his tenure, he achieved a remarkable 15-7 record and led the Vixens to win the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Women’s Tennis Championship.
Hale’s accomplishments extend beyond Sweet Briar’s championship title. He stands as the winningest head coach in the program’s history, compiling an overall record of 105-59 across his eight seasons. His leadership led the Vixens to three consecutive Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Championship appearances from 2021 to 2023, a notable achievement in the highly competitive conference.
Under Hale’s guidance, the Vixens posted impressive back-to-back 9-1 conference records during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. The team also made a historic appearance at the NCAA Division III Women’s Tennis Doubles Championship in the 2020-21 season, the first time the Vixens had reached this level since 1990. The 2020-21 season was particularly successful, with a 15-6 dual-season record, reflecting a .778 winning percentage, the highest for the program since the 2003 season.
Hale’s coaching excellence was recognized in 2021 when he received both the ODAC Coach of the Year and Virginia Sports Information Directors Coach of the Year awards. Beyond athletic achievements, his teams excelled academically, producing two ODAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year winners and 51 ODAC All-Academic Honorees. Additionally, his teams earned accolades from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), with two ITA All-Academic teams in 2022 and 2024, as well as 20 ITA Scholar-Athletes.
Before his successful tenure at Sweet Briar, Hale spent two years as the head men’s and women’s tennis coach at North Carolina Wesleyan College. There, he led the men’s program to a USA South regular season and tournament title in his debut season, demonstrating his ability to produce immediate results. Hale began his collegiate coaching career in 2011-12 at Emory & Henry College, where he attained a commendable record of 29-11.
As a student-athlete, Hale played four seasons at North Carolina Wesleyan, during which he also won the USA South regular season and tournament titles. His academic credentials include Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology and religious studies, which he earned in 2009.
Hale has expressed his excitement about joining the UNC Asheville community and has thanked Athletic Director Janet R. Cone and the search committee for the opportunity to lead the men’s tennis program. His extensive experience and commitment to both athletic and academic excellence are anticipated to contribute positively to the future of UNC Asheville tennis.
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Additional Resources
- UNC Asheville News: Dustin Hale Appointed Head Men’s Tennis Coach
- Google Search: UNC Asheville Men’s Tennis
- UNC Asheville News: Jeff Maren as Women’s Tennis Head Coach
- GoCCUSports: Men’s Tennis Welcomes Davidson and UNC Asheville
- Wikipedia: Tennis
