Jarryd Chaplin Promoted to Associate Head Coach

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After playing a key role in guiding the Tennessee women's tennis program to back-to-back top-25 finishes as an assistant coach, VFL Jarryd Chaplin has been promoted to associate head coach, Lady Vols head coach Alison Ojeda announced Friday.

Earlier this week, Chaplin earned distinction as the 2021 ITA Ohio Valley Assistant Coach of the Year. Tennessee finished the season ranked No. 18 in the ITA's year-end national poll, their highest finish since 2011.

"Jarryd Chaplin is one of the best on-court coaches I have ever seen," Ojeda said. "He has a natural ability to concisely deliver a message that commands a sense of urgency from our players. Every student-athlete on our team has improved since he has joined our program.

"That is why it's my honor to share with Vol Nation that we are promoting Jarryd to associate head coach. This is a title he has earned, and—more importantly—I want Jarryd to know just how much our program values him. Together, we want to win championships. And together, we will."

The Lady Vols have compiled a 27-12 record during Chaplin's two years as an assistant on Rocky Top. This season, he helped guide the Lady Vols to a 17-9 record with nine shutouts. Tennessee went undefeated at home for just the fourth time in program history, posting a perfect 11-0 mark in Knoxville. The Lady Vols also made their fourth straight postseason appearance.

"Jarryd is passionate about the game of tennis and is uber competitive," Ojeda said. "If there is an advantage to be gained, Jarryd will find it. We both embrace the study of tennis analytics, and the data that we accrue from it helps to separate us from our competition."

In his first season coaching at his alma mater, Chaplin guided the Australian duo of Kaitlin Staines and Tenika McGiffin to a runner-up finish at the ITA All-American Championships, where they went 4-1 with a three-match winning streak against top-25 opponents. While his first season on staff with the Lady Vols was shortened due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, he did help Tennessee post a 10-3 record with five shutout wins before action was halted nationwide.

"Jarryd has brought a lot of knowledge and experience to the Lady Vols program," McGiffin said. "He, alongside Alison, collectively bring a wealth of tennis expertise and have created a special culture amongst the team. Since his time at Tennessee, Jarryd's enthusiasm to improve our tennis game has led to success over the past two seasons on the tennis court. He is committed and dedicated to the program's vision and we are excited to continue to work with Jarryd."

"In addition to Jarryd's on- and off-court coaching, he has embraced recruiting in all of its facets," Ojeda said. "Whether it's taking a last-minute trip overseas or staying up late to speak with a player on the other side of the world, Jarryd is all in."

Chaplin has helped bring the world's best to Rocky Top, helping international prospects Eleonora Molinaro, Esther Adeshina and Elza Tomase. In addition, Chaplin was essential in bringing junior transfer Daria Kuczer, who led the Lady Vols in solo wins in 2021 (26), to Tennessee from Pepperdine.

"I am really happy and excited for Chaps," said Rebeka Mertena. "He has helped our team improve so much and I cannot thank him enough for all that he has already done. I am also very grateful for his guidance off the court as well. This last year was hard and he helped me a lot. His promotion is well deserved and I cannot wait to be back on the court with him and Alison."

As a collegiate player, Chaplin, who hails from Sydney, Australia, competed for the Vols from 2011-14. Over the course of his four years as a student-athlete in Knoxville, Chaplin compiled a 74-44 doubles record and 64-55 singles record, earning second-team All-SEC honors in 2013. Chaplin's Vols made a pair of NCAA Quarterfinal appearances.

Chaplin was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll for three straight years from 2012-14. In his professional career on tour, Chaplin achieved an ATP doubles career-high ranking of No. 155 in the world.

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University of Tennessee Athletics

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Esther Adeshina

Daria Kuczer

Tenika McGiffin

Rebeka Mertena

Eleonora Molinaro

Kaitlin Staines

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