Chuck Willenborg Named Interim Men's and Women's Tennis Coach
Willenborg, the longtime men's head coach at national power Johns Hopkins, takes over both Gopher teams on an interim basis.
August 23, 2024
TOWSON, Md. - Goucher College Interim Director of Athletics Bryan Laut announced Friday that Chuck Willenborg has been named the interim head coach of the Gopher men and women's tennis programs effective immediately. Willenborg, who was the head men's tennis coach at national power Johns Hopkins for 17 seasons and also spent time as the Blue Jays' women's coach, will lead both programs while the College conducts a national search for a permanent head coach for the Goucher tennis teams.
"I would like to thank Bryan Laut and Goucher College for the opportunity to continue my coaching career," said Willenborg. "The teams are both coming off strong seasons and hope to build on those successes. Goucher College is a great place to study and play tennis and proud to be a Gopher!"
"We are thrilled to be bringing in Chuck Willenborg as the interim head men's and women's tennis coach," said Laut. "Our tennis teams are coming off two solid years and we are certain that Chuck with his proven track record of developing high end student-athletes will continue the positive development of our teams and most importantly our student-athletes on and off the court."
Willenborg was the head coach of the Blue Jays men's program from 2004-21 and during his tenure compiled a 259-69 (.790) record, including a 128-3 (.977) mark in Centennial Conference
play. He guided Hopkins to Centennial Conference championships in 13 of his last 14 seasons, the only exception being the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, and to 14 Centennial titles overall. In his final season, 2021, Willenborg led the Blue Jays to an 11-1 mark and an NCAA semifinal appearance. Johns Hopkins made a total of 14 NCAA appearances, including three quarterfinal trips and the aforementioned semifinal appearance.
play. He guided Hopkins to Centennial Conference championships in 13 of his last 14 seasons, the only exception being the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, and to 14 Centennial titles overall. In his final season, 2021, Willenborg led the Blue Jays to an 11-1 mark and an NCAA semifinal appearance. Johns Hopkins made a total of 14 NCAA appearances, including three quarterfinal trips and the aforementioned semifinal appearance.Willenborg coached 88 All-Centennial Conference selections, six Players of the Year, one Rookie of the Year, 37 ITA All-Americans and the 2014 ITA National Rookie of the Year. In addition, he has coached 12 CoSIDA Academic All-District selections and a pair of CoSIDA Academic All-Americans. The Blue Jays have produced three ITA Southeast Regional singles champions and six doubles champions.
In six seasons as head coach of the Blue Jay women, Willenborg won a then-record 91 matches and posted a .758 winning percentage. He led Hopkins to four straight Centennial Conference titles, including the program's first in 2007. The Blue Jays made four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including three consecutive Sweet 16 trips in Willenborg's final three seasons. His players earned 22 All-Centennial Conference selections (12 singles, 10 doubles) and five ITA All-America accolades (1 single, 4 doubles). He also coached the 2007 Centennial Conference Player of the Year.
Willenborg brings outstanding amateur, collegiate and professional experience to Goucher. His amateur career was highlighted by a USTA National Clay Court Championship and a top-5 national junior ranking. He was selected to the prestigious Junior Davis squad and competed at the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
Willenborg began his collegiate career at UCLA where he helped the Bruins win ITA National Indoor and NCAA Championship in 1984. He completed his college career at the University of Miami as a top-25 singles player.
In 1989 Willenborg joined the staff at Miami, where he served as an assistant men's coach for six seasons. During that time, Miami was consistently a top-10 team and Willenborg coached two top-ranked singles players. In 1996, he took the position as assistant tennis coach at Pepperdine University, where he won two consecutive West Coast Conference Championships and was promoted to interim head coach for the 1997 season. The team completed the season with a 22-7 record, including a win over top-ranked UCLA in the season-finale, and a top-10 national ranking.
Willenborg also served as the assistant men's and women's coach at perennial Division II power Barry University. The men's team was an NCAA finalist both seasons of his stay, while the women earned their first ever Sunshine State Conference Championship and a third-place finish - their highest ever - at the NCAA Championships.
A 1987 graduate of Miami with a degree in physical education, Willenborg earned a master's in sports management from the U.S. Sports Academy in 1997 and a master's in computer science from Barry in 2000.
Willenborg began his collegiate career at UCLA where he helped the Bruins win ITA National Indoor and NCAA Championship in 1984. He completed his college career at the University of Miami as a top-25 singles player.
In 1989 Willenborg joined the staff at Miami, where he served as an assistant men's coach for six seasons. During that time, Miami was consistently a top-10 team and Willenborg coached two top-ranked singles players. In 1996, he took the position as assistant tennis coach at Pepperdine University, where he won two consecutive West Coast Conference Championships and was promoted to interim head coach for the 1997 season. The team completed the season with a 22-7 record, including a win over top-ranked UCLA in the season-finale, and a top-10 national ranking.
Willenborg also served as the assistant men's and women's coach at perennial Division II power Barry University. The men's team was an NCAA finalist both seasons of his stay, while the women earned their first ever Sunshine State Conference Championship and a third-place finish - their highest ever - at the NCAA Championships.
A 1987 graduate of Miami with a degree in physical education, Willenborg earned a master's in sports management from the U.S. Sports Academy in 1997 and a master's in computer science from Barry in 2000.