Milligan College announced Wednesday, May 5, at a media event that local tennis standout, Ryan Reynolds, will immediately assume the position of head coach for both the men’s and women’s programs.
Reynolds, a 2007 graduate of Milligan College, returns to his alma mater after former Head Coach Ron Worrell decided to step down to pursue other interests. Worrell was at the helm of the Buffs and Lady Buffs for four seasons.
“Ryan brings a great deal of knowledge and passion to this program,” commented Vice President for Student Development Mark Fox. “Having seen him as a student-athlete and following his professional career the last couple of years, I have no doubt that he will bring success to our tennis programs here at Milligan.”
Reynolds played his three years of high school tennis at local powerhouse, Science Hill. During his stint as a Hilltopper, Reynolds was a part of the 2002 state championship squad and was a three-time All-Big 9 selection. During his senior year, he won the TSSAA AAA state title in boy’s doubles.
As a Buffalo, Reynolds was a 4-time All-AAC pick as well as the AAC Sportsman of the Year during his senior season. Individually during his collegiate career, he was ranked as high as 21st in the NAIA polls and served as the team captain his junior and senior seasons.
This past year Reynolds has served as the assistant men’s tennis coach at NCAA Division I UNC-Charlotte. Reynolds helped lead the 49ers to a seventh place finish in the Atlantic 10 in his inaugural year. Currently, Reynolds is serving as the assistant professional at The Ridges Golf and Tennis Club.
“It feels great to come back to my alma mater and have this opportunity to coach,” said Reynolds. “I am really looking forward to beginning my head coaching career at such a great school and continuing the tradition of success Milligan athletics is accustomed to.”
Coach Glover was the head coach of the women’s team from ’95 through ’05. Those teams compiled a 132-45 record with national tournament appearances in ’96 and ’00, regional appearances in ’00 (champions), ’01 and ’05. The team won the conference tournament in ’96, ’00 and ’04 and were regular season champs in ’96, ’97, ’00, ’01, and ’05.
Coach Glover also coached a doubles team to qualify and compete in nationals in ’97. He was named the conference coach of the year in ’96, ’00 and ’05. The ’00 team was ranked in the top 40 in the NAIA. He has coached numerous all-conference, academic all-conference and champions of character players and two champions of character teams.
The 2000 team was an Academic All-American team. One player, Cassie Lomison, was ranked in the top 50 in ’05 and she was the recipient of the Arthur Ashe National Sportsmanship Award.
Coach Glover came to Milligan in 1990 as a math professor and still teaches as a fulltime faculty member. He is married with 4 children, 6 grandchildren and 5 dogs.
