News Summary
Jeff Maren has been named the new Head Women’s Tennis Coach at UNC Asheville, effective May 16, 2025. Following Lise Gregory’s retirement, Maren, previously at Liberty University and New College of Florida, aims to continue the legacy of success in the program. He brings a proven record of coaching excellence, with significant tournament achievements and player development experience. The UNC Asheville community is eager to see the impact he will have on the women’s tennis program.
Asheville, NC — Jeff Maren has been officially named the new Head Women’s Tennis Coach at UNC Asheville, effective May 16, 2025. This announcement was made by Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone, marking Maren as the ninth head coach in the program’s history.
Maren’s hiring comes after the retirement of Lise Gregory, who leaves behind a notable legacy within the program. Cone expressed her enthusiasm about bringing Maren on board, acknowledging the significant impact Gregory had and the “big shoes” Maren has to fill.
Before his appointment at UNC Asheville, Maren spent 10 months as the Head Coach for the New College of Florida, an NAIA program that began its inaugural season in 2025. During his short tenure there, he successfully recruited 20 players for both the men’s and women’s tennis teams.
Prior to his role at New College of Florida, Maren dedicated 12 years to Liberty University as the head women’s tennis coach. His impressive record during this time included 184 wins against 98 losses, showcasing his effectiveness and skill in coaching. His overall performance in various conferences proved to be outstanding, with a 42-10 record in the Big South Conference, a 26-6 record in the ASUN, and an unblemished 5-0 record in Conference USA.
Under Maren’s leadership at Liberty, the women’s tennis team consistently excelled, reaching the semifinals or finals in conference tournaments on 11 occasions. The team made notable appearances in two Big South Championships in 2016 and 2018, as well as the ASUN Championship in 2022 and the Conference USA Championship in 2024. Maren also mentored four nationally-ranked singles players and three nationally-ranked doubles partnerships during his tenure.
Before his time at Liberty, Maren served as the associate head coach of the women’s tennis program at North Texas for six years. He played a crucial role in helping the team recover from a struggling 2-19 record in 2007, leading to two Sun Belt Conference Championships in 2010 and 2012.
Following Gregory’s announcement of her retirement at the conclusion of the 2025 season, a national search was initiated for her successor. Maren’s background and achievements in coaching have led to strong endorsements, positioning him as a valuable asset capable of fostering championship-level teams at UNC Asheville while maintaining a focus on the educational experiences of his players.
As Maren settles into his new role, the UNC Asheville community, including current players, alumni, and tennis enthusiasts, looks forward to the new directions he will bring to the program and the legacy he will establish within the university.
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Additional Resources
- UNC Asheville Official Site: Jeff Maren Named Head Women’s Tennis Coach
- UNC Asheville Official Site: Bulldogs Set Program Record for Academic Honors
- UNC Asheville Official Site: Lise Gregory Announces Retirement
- Google Search: Women’s Tennis UNC Asheville
- Wikipedia: Women’s Tennis
