News Summary
Dustin Hale has been named the Head Men’s Tennis Coach for UNC Asheville, succeeding previous coaches with a history of success. Hale comes from Sweet Briar College, where he achieved significant victories and recognition in coaching. His extensive experience and dedication to both athletics and academics will be instrumental in advancing the men’s tennis program at UNC Asheville.
Asheville, North Carolina – Dustin Hale has been appointed as the new Head Men’s Tennis Coach for UNC Asheville, a significant move for the university’s athletic program. The announcement was made on July 16, 2025, by Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone, making Hale the 11th head coach in the program’s history.
Cone expressed enthusiasm about Hale’s appointment, highlighting his proven track record of leadership and his success in building strong tennis programs. Hale joins the UNC Asheville community following an impressive eight-season tenure as the head coach at Sweet Briar College.
During his time at Sweet Briar, Hale achieved remarkable success, including a 15-7 record in his last season, where his team clinched the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III Women’s Tennis Championship. Notably, he is recognized as the winningest head coach in Sweet Briar history with an overall coaching record of 105 wins and 59 losses.
Hale’s teams also made significant strides in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), reaching championship appearances for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023. In the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, his Sweet Briar teams posted commendable 9-1 conference records. Furthermore, Hale fostered individual excellence, with two players reaching the NCAA Division III Women’s Tennis Doubles Championship in the 2020-21 season, marking the program’s first participation since 1990. That season, Sweet Briar recorded a 15-6 dual season record, achieving a .778 winning percentage—the highest for the program since 2003.
Hale’s contributions extend beyond athletic performance. He was named ODAC Coach of the Year in 2021 and earned the Virginia Sports Information Directors Coach of the Year award. His dedication to academic excellence is reflected in his off-court achievements, with two winners of the ODAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and a total of 51 ODAC All-Academic Honorees. His teams have received several academic accolades, including two ITA All-Academic team honors and numerous ITA Scholar-Athlete recognitions.
Prior to his role at Sweet Briar, Hale coached both men’s and women’s tennis at North Carolina Wesleyan College, where he led the men’s team to a conference title in his first season. Hale began his coaching career at Emory & Henry College, compiling a 29-11 record and guiding the teams to the ODAC Tournament in both seasons. He initially served as an assistant coach at N.C. Wesleyan, contributing to the teams reaching great heights, including the NCAA Division III Men’s Tennis Championship Tournament Sweet 16 and Elite 8.
A former student-athlete himself, Hale played tennis for four seasons at N.C. Wesleyan, contributing to the team’s success in the USA South conference. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and religious studies, having graduated in 2009.
In expressing his excitement about this new position, Hale acknowledged the welcoming atmosphere and robust support from the UNC Asheville athletic department, indicating a positive outlook as he embarks on his new coaching journey.
As Hale steps into this role, he will be tasked with not only continuing the growth of the men’s tennis program but also fostering a culture of excellence both on and off the court at UNC Asheville.
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Additional Resources
- UNC Asheville News: Dustin Hale Appointed Head Men’s Tennis Coach
- Wikipedia: Tennis
- UNC Asheville News: Jeff Maren Named Women’s Tennis Head Coach
- Google Search: UNC Asheville Tennis News
- Goccusports: Men’s Tennis Welcomes Davidson and UNC Asheville
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
