News Summary
Mark Klysner has been appointed as the head coach of Tennessee Tech’s men’s tennis team, succeeding Kenny Doyle after his retirement. Klysner brings 20 years of coaching experience and has had significant success at Illinois State, where he became the winningest coach in program history. With a focus on competitive excellence and academic achievement, Klysner aims to build a strong future for the team in Cookeville.
Cookeville, Tennessee – Mark Klysner has officially been appointed as the 18th head coach of the Tennessee Tech men’s tennis program, replacing Kenny Doyle, who recently retired after a successful 16-year tenure. Klysner brings with him nearly 20 years of coaching experience, including 15 years at the NCAA Division I level, positioning him as a significant asset for the program moving forward.
Klysner expressed gratitude for the opportunity and acknowledged those who supported his vision during the selection process. This new role marks an exciting chapter for the Tennessee Tech men’s tennis team, as Klysner aims to foster a competitive and successful environment.
Prior to joining Tennessee Tech, Klysner served as the head coach at Illinois State University, where he was instrumental in building the program into a formidable competitor. During his 12 years at Illinois State, he became the all-time winningest coach in the program’s history, amassing 119 victories. His coaching prowess led the team to three consecutive winning seasons in the Summit League, a testament to his ability to structure a successful athletic framework.
Under Klysner’s leadership, the Illinois State program not only performed well but also achieved academic excellence, receiving recognition for having the highest team GPA in all but two semesters. He produced two Summit League Players of the Year, Igor Kolaric in 2018 and Nam Pham in 2022, showcasing his talent for developing individual athletes. The 2024 Illinois State team posted 14 wins, setting a new record for the most victories in a single season during his time with the school.
Klysner’s coaching career also includes head positions at Youngstown State, where he served from 2010 to 2013. At Youngstown State, he made notable accomplishments on both the men’s and women’s teams, with the women’s side achieving 15 wins, the highest since 1999, and the men’s team attaining 13 wins, the most since 1991 under his final season there.
Before moving into head coaching roles, Klysner gained valuable experience as an assistant coach at various institutions. He worked at Fairleigh Dickinson and Austin Peay, as well as beginning his career as a collegiate coach at South Carolina Aiken in the 1999-2000 season. His initial head coaching role was at Green River Community College from 2005 to 2008.
A talented athlete himself, Klysner was a standout player at the University of South Carolina, where he achieved top-50 rankings nationally in both singles and doubles. He also competed professionally and won titles on the Canadian circuit, even competing against former world number one Andy Roddick.
Mark Klysner hails from Hillerod, Denmark, but moved to Winnipeg, Canada, during his youth. There he became a member of the Canadian Junior National Team, setting a solid foundation for his future in competitive tennis.
Klysner resides with his family, including his wife Kristen and their three sons: Jordan (24), Hayden (16), and Sully (13). As he embarks on this new journey at Tennessee Tech, Klysner looks forward to integrating into the Cookeville community as he works to build a successful and competitive men’s tennis program.
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Additional Resources
- Tennessee Tech Sports – Klysner Appointed Head Coach
- Belmont Bruins – Tennis Captures Conference Title
- Tennessee Tech Sports – Release 20250417
- Google Search: Tennessee Tech Men’s Tennis
- Wikipedia: Tennis
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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.
