AUBURN, Ala. – Jacob Eddins, who spent the last five seasons as associate head coach at Western Carolina, has been named assistant coach for Auburn women's tennis, head coach Lauren Spencer announced Friday.
Eddins helped oversee one of the most successful stretches in WCU history that included a school-record win total in 2016. He comes to The Plains after coaching stops at Western Carolina, Pittsburgh, Cornell and Marshall.
"I am truly grateful for the opportunity to join coach Lauren Spencer as her assistant at Auburn," Eddins said. "She has done an amazing job building this program into a real threat in the SEC, and I look forward to helping her guide this group towards its goal of winning an SEC and national championship. I would like to thank coach Lauren Spencer and athletics director Allen Greene for the opportunity to become part of the Auburn Family!
"I would also like to thank my wife and family for allowing me to make this dream become reality. I knew upon our arrival visiting campus that this was the perfect fit. I can't wait to get started on The Plains. War Eagle!"
He helped steadily improve the WCU women's tennis program over his five seasons, including setting a record for most wins in a season in 2016 with 12. Eddins helped rewrite the WCU record book with five of his student-athletes holding top-10 single-season victories in Western Carolina history. Four of the top five spots on the career singles victories chart at WCU are held by players Eddins coached, including career leader Stacia Kissell with 37 victories at WCU in just three seasons. WCU's 12-11 record in 2016 marked the first winning season for the Catamounts since 1997.
"I am excited to have Jacob Eddins and his family join the Auburn Women's Tennis family," Spencer said, "and I have no doubt he will help us continue to be a force in the SEC and on the national stage. Jacob brings a unique and extensive amount of coaching experience at every level, and his positive energy, professionalism and experience will help elevate our team to the next level.
"He knows the value of hard work, running a successful program and motivating student-athletes to dream big. We are both so eager to get on the court to start working with this special group of hardworking, determined women."
Eddins' WCU tenure began after one year as the assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to his time at Pitt, Eddins spent one year as a volunteer assistant at Cornell University, and also served two years in the same position at Marshall for the women's tennis program while completing his undergraduate degree. While at Marshall, he helped the team win its fourth consecutive Mid-American Conference championship. As the assistant coach at Marshall in 2010, he helped guide the team to a national ranking as high as No. 28 and a second-place finish in the Conference USA Tournament.
Eddins has also coached in junior development programs over the past 10-plus years and currently holds an Elite Professional USPTA certification. He spent two years as the head tennis pro at Guyan Golf and Country Club in his native Huntington, W.Va., and was also the assistant director at the Allegheny Country Club in Pittsburgh, Pa., prior to coaching at Pitt.
Before his time at Marshall, he was a two-time West Virginia high school state singles champion, as well as the doubles state champion his senior year.
Eddins graduated from Marshall University in 2008 with a degree in business management and a minor in marketing.
He is married to Michaela Kissell-Eddins. The couple have three children, Kylie, Gavin and Jayce.
Jacob Eddins named women's tennis assistant coach
