AUBURN, Ala. - DJ Bennett, the most decorated women’s tennis player in Auburn program history, has been named assistant coach, head coach Jordan Szabo announced Monday. Bennett will join Szabo and associate head coach Pete Francis on the coaching staff for the 2026-27 season.
“What a great day for Auburn women’s tennis,” Szabo said. “The most decorated player in program history joining the coaching staff is incredible, and I am so excited to work alongside DJ. DJ has a passion for helping people, is as competitive as they come and has lived what college athletics is all about, from taking an opportunity and hoping for a scholarship to becoming No. 1 in the nation and winning championships.
“I am thrilled our players will get to learn from her and see DJ lead the next generation of young female tennis players. Selfishly, this is a monumental moment in my coaching career for a player so accomplished and highly regarded to want to work with me and stay in our environment. It warms my heart.”
Bennett joins the staff following a stellar four-year career as a player on the Plains. The Belleview, Florida, native was a four-time ITA All-America selection and a three-time All-SEC selection. She also became the second player in program history to reach the NCAA Singles Championship final in 2024 and the first Auburn player to reach No. 1 in the ITA National Singles Rankings during the 2025-26 season.
Bennett regularly played at the top of the Tigers’ singles and doubles lineups during her junior and senior seasons and finished her collegiate career with a 95-46 overall singles record and an 89-39 overall doubles record. Her 184 combined victories are the fourth most in program history.
“It is an honor to receive the opportunity to be the next assistant coach at Auburn,” Bennett said. “Auburn has meant so much to me during my time as a student-athlete, so being able to give back to the place that gave me the chance to pursue my dreams is very special. Jordan and Pete have been great mentors to me in my career, so being able to coach alongside them will be a perfect fit for me. I am looking forward to helping lead this program and develop our student-athletes both on and off the court.”
As team captain in 2026, Bennett helped lead the Tigers to the best season in program history and was named ITA Southern Region Senior Player of the Year. Auburn made the deepest postseason run in its history, which included a run to the NCAA Championship final. Auburn also won the program’s first SEC regular-season title and SEC Tournament championship, with Bennett named the tournament’s MVP. The Tigers set program records for most wins in a season and most SEC wins in a season, going 37-4 overall and 13-2 in conference play.
A three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection, Bennett graduated with a degree in finance from the Harbert College of Business in May.