University of Tennessee Athletics
Photo by: Donald Page/Tennessee Athletics
Roll Helps Build Tennessee Tennis on Hard Work and Passion
April 10, 2020 | Men's Tennis
When Chris Woodruff took the reins of the Tennessee men's tennis program he knew what he wanted it to look like – he wanted a team built on hard work and passion.
To help him build his program, Woodruff turned to an old friend and his own former strength coach, Brad Roll.
Woodruff and Roll began working together in the late 1990s when Woodruff was still playing on the professional tour.
"He has always been an innovator and ahead of the game," Woodruff said. "That is why he is still in the game today and why I wanted to work with him when I was still playing."
Fast forward to the summer of 2017. Woodruff has just taken over the tennis program on Rocky Top and almost by fate, Roll is on the strength staff at UT as well. Knowing the type of energy and passion Roll brings each and every day, the decision to bring Roll onto the staff was an easy one for Woodruff.
"I know first hand the type of coach he is," Woodruff said. "He brings it every day, he is high energy every day, and he works hard and is always thinking of how to bring out the best in the players he works with."
Roll had spent 20 years in the NFL with six different teams and boasted a resume of more than 36 years of strength and conditioning experience when he arrived in Knoxville. Along with his NFL experience, he spent time working in the collegiate ranks with the 1987 national championship winning Kansas Jayhawks in men's basketball before earning two more championships with the Miami Hurricanes in football between 1989-92.
Known for his high energy, passion and hardworking mentality, Roll was the perfect strength coach for the men's tennis team that had dropped below the program's historically high standard of excellence.
With Woodruff pushing the players on the court and Roll pushing them in the weight room, the 2018 team quickly returned the program to its winning ways, winning 21 matches in its first season under the new leadership. The 21 wins were the most since the 2013 season and saw the Vols return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016.
"Woody and I work extremely well together," Roll said. "We have the same mentality. We want to out-work everyone else. Every time we step onto the court, we are going to be the most well-conditioned team out there and we are going to work harder than you do."
That hard-working and well-conditioned mentality came to the forefront during the 2019 SEC Tournament semifinal in Gainesville, Fla., as the Vols rallied under the hot midday sun against the homestanding and third-ranked Gators.
Down 3-1, Tennessee battled back to defeat Florida on their own court, 4-3, and advance to the SEC Tournament final.
"That match showed what this team is all about and the type of effort that Roll puts in every day to get the guys prepared," Woodruff said. "He is passionate and works constantly all year to make sure that when we get into a match like that semifinal against Florida at Florida, we are in top form and can withstand not just our opponents but also the elements we're playing in."
With Roll's guidance and training, the 2019 season saw UT win 22 matches and earn back-to-back 20 plus win seasons for the first time since 2010 and 2011. Tennessee also returned to the NCAA Round of 16 for the first time since 2014.
Before the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global health crisis halted the season, the 2020 squad looked poised to take the next step. The Vols began the year 14-2—their best start since 2011—and won five matches against ranked opponents.
"We keep pushing the guys in the weight room and on the court," Roll said. "We challenge them to own it and want it more than we do and each year we see that shift taking place. It is great to see that happening and when it does, that's when you win championships."
Roll sees the team growing on and off the court, building together towards the ultimate goal of winning a championship. But for a strength coach that has seen it all and done it all, it is the relationships he has built with the players that keeps him going and working as hard as ever.
"In 38 years, I have been around some of the best athletes in the world," Roll said. "But coming to work with the tennis team was unlike anything else I had done before. When you work in the NFL, you live and breathe the NFL lifestyle and it is intense. Here though, I get the chance to get to really know the athletes, have relationships with them and see them grow into young adults. That keeps me motivated. And working with this team is one of the most rewarding things I have been a part of in my career."
To help him build his program, Woodruff turned to an old friend and his own former strength coach, Brad Roll.
Woodruff and Roll began working together in the late 1990s when Woodruff was still playing on the professional tour.
"He has always been an innovator and ahead of the game," Woodruff said. "That is why he is still in the game today and why I wanted to work with him when I was still playing."
Fast forward to the summer of 2017. Woodruff has just taken over the tennis program on Rocky Top and almost by fate, Roll is on the strength staff at UT as well. Knowing the type of energy and passion Roll brings each and every day, the decision to bring Roll onto the staff was an easy one for Woodruff.
"I know first hand the type of coach he is," Woodruff said. "He brings it every day, he is high energy every day, and he works hard and is always thinking of how to bring out the best in the players he works with."
Roll had spent 20 years in the NFL with six different teams and boasted a resume of more than 36 years of strength and conditioning experience when he arrived in Knoxville. Along with his NFL experience, he spent time working in the collegiate ranks with the 1987 national championship winning Kansas Jayhawks in men's basketball before earning two more championships with the Miami Hurricanes in football between 1989-92.
Known for his high energy, passion and hardworking mentality, Roll was the perfect strength coach for the men's tennis team that had dropped below the program's historically high standard of excellence.
With Woodruff pushing the players on the court and Roll pushing them in the weight room, the 2018 team quickly returned the program to its winning ways, winning 21 matches in its first season under the new leadership. The 21 wins were the most since the 2013 season and saw the Vols return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016.
"Woody and I work extremely well together," Roll said. "We have the same mentality. We want to out-work everyone else. Every time we step onto the court, we are going to be the most well-conditioned team out there and we are going to work harder than you do."
That hard-working and well-conditioned mentality came to the forefront during the 2019 SEC Tournament semifinal in Gainesville, Fla., as the Vols rallied under the hot midday sun against the homestanding and third-ranked Gators.
Down 3-1, Tennessee battled back to defeat Florida on their own court, 4-3, and advance to the SEC Tournament final.
"That match showed what this team is all about and the type of effort that Roll puts in every day to get the guys prepared," Woodruff said. "He is passionate and works constantly all year to make sure that when we get into a match like that semifinal against Florida at Florida, we are in top form and can withstand not just our opponents but also the elements we're playing in."
With Roll's guidance and training, the 2019 season saw UT win 22 matches and earn back-to-back 20 plus win seasons for the first time since 2010 and 2011. Tennessee also returned to the NCAA Round of 16 for the first time since 2014.
Before the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global health crisis halted the season, the 2020 squad looked poised to take the next step. The Vols began the year 14-2—their best start since 2011—and won five matches against ranked opponents.
"We keep pushing the guys in the weight room and on the court," Roll said. "We challenge them to own it and want it more than we do and each year we see that shift taking place. It is great to see that happening and when it does, that's when you win championships."
Roll sees the team growing on and off the court, building together towards the ultimate goal of winning a championship. But for a strength coach that has seen it all and done it all, it is the relationships he has built with the players that keeps him going and working as hard as ever.
"In 38 years, I have been around some of the best athletes in the world," Roll said. "But coming to work with the tennis team was unlike anything else I had done before. When you work in the NFL, you live and breathe the NFL lifestyle and it is intense. Here though, I get the chance to get to really know the athletes, have relationships with them and see them grow into young adults. That keeps me motivated. And working with this team is one of the most rewarding things I have been a part of in my career."
Everything Orange S2 | Shunsuke Mitsui (Men's Tennis)
Thursday, May 08
MTN | Johannus Monday Tennessee Tribute
Friday, June 21
MTN | Chris Woodruff Media Availability (5.14.24)
Tuesday, May 14
Everything Orange | Johannus Monday (Men's Tennis)
Thursday, May 02
