Coach DJ: New role 'way too good of an opportunity to let pass' for Auburn's Bennett

AUBURN, Ala. –  Weighing her options to pursue a professional tennis career or become a coach at her alma mater, Auburn’s DJ Bennett decided remaining on the Plains exceeded the pros and cons of turning pro.

Coach DJ, it is.

Bennett began her new job as an assistant coach fewer than two months after concluding her career as the most decorated player in Auburn women’s tennis history.

“We have a really good thing going,” Auburn head coach Jordan Szabo said of the program’s momentum. “She knows the expectations and the work ethic required to be an elite player in this program because she lived it. With DJ, Auburn always came first.

“I think it’s important to have a great, successful female shaping the next group of successful female players. She’s very much selfless and I see coaching as a selfless service job.”

Szabo first floated the possibility while DJ helped lead the Tigers to SEC regular season and tournament championships, and the program’s first appearance in the NCAA championship final.

“As we got closer to NCAAs and through the tournament, I was weighing the pros and cons of playing pro or taking the job,” Bennett recalled. “I thought it was way too good of an opportunity to let pass me by, to have the opportunity to stay in Auburn around the people I love and stay with the girls who are going to still be on the team this year, it’s really exciting.”

The four-time All-American and three-time All-SEC honoree quickly made peace with the finality of forgoing professional tennis.

“That’s every tennis player’s dream,” she said, “but it’s definitely a lot harder than people make it out to be, financially and mentally.”

By the time Bennett arrived on the Plains in the summer of 2022, she’d already recovered from surgeries on both knees.

“After everything I’ve been through with all my injuries, I was taking into consideration how long my body would last on the pro tour because there are no days off,” said Bennett, who graduated in May from Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business with a finance degree. “I thought coaching would be the smartest decision for me and the best decision for where I’m at in my life right now.”

“What she’s been through as a player, the highs and lows, that can really shape the perspective you see as a coach,” Szabo said. “When she decided she wanted to do this, she was all in on the job. She’s willing to invest and she’s a hard worker and those are the traits necessary to be a good coach.”

“I’m super excited to learn a lot from Jordan,” Bennett said. “I believe he’s the best coach in the country.”

“She’s got some learning to do, and I can help shape and guide her the way I think she needs to perform for us,” Szabo said. “There’s no reason why she can’t be an amazing asset to us straight away.”

In her new role, Bennett will be tasked with coaching her former teammates.

“All the girls were really excited after it was announced,” said Bennett, who looks forward to helping Auburn’s newcomers transition to the program. “They all texted me, ‘We’re so glad you’re staying.’ That made the transition a little bit easier for me.”

Before she hangs up her racket, Bennett looks will have one last chance to compete on a grand stage, teaming up with Auburn doubles partner Ava Esposito this summer in the U.S. Open in New York.

“What a way to go out,” Bennett said. “That’s what I’ve been telling myself. It’s going to be really cool to say the last tournament I played was the U.S. Open. To be able to say that I’ve played in a Grand Slam is unbelievable.”

Bennett and Esposito formed a formidable duo at Auburn, ranking No. 3 nationally in 2026.

“We’re both super excited and I’m so glad I have the opportunity to play one more time with Ava,” Bennett said.

After the U.S. Open, Bennett’s wins will occur when the student-athletes she coaches succeed.

“I’m definitely a competitive person,” she said. “That’s not something I’ll be able to let go. I’ll be living vicariously through all the girls who are coming in.”

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer