Jason Potthoff

Jason Potthoff joined the University of Houston Tennis program as the team's assistant coach on July 16, 2015. Potthoff brings over a decade of high-level coaching experience to the Cougar program.

"Jason is one of the top college tennis coaches in the nation and a great addition to our staff," said Houston Head Tennis Coach Courtney Steinbock. "He brings a strong track record and a unique perspective to our team, and I am excited to have him on board as we begin building a championship program."

"I am grateful to Coach Steinbock and the UH Athletics Department for an opportunity to continue my career with one of the fastest-rising programs in the country," said Potthoff. "Houston Tennis is well-positioned to make a major impact nationally and in the American Athletic Conference, and I am eager to get started assembling a championship team."

Potthoff comes to Houston after spending the past four seasons at the University of Missouri, where he was in charge of the team's recruiting and on-court coaching efforts. During Potthoff's tenure, the Tigers rose as high as No. 42 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association national rankings, their highest national listing in over a decade. They also knocked off 12 nationally-ranked opponents while Potthoff was on staff and advanced to the second round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament in each of the past two seasons.

Individually, Missouri student-athletes achieved unprecedented success under Potthoff's watch. The Tigers had a singles player ranked in the ITA's national top-125 in each of Potthoff's four seasons, and in 2014, senior Cierra Gaytan-Leach earned All-SEC laurels. The all-conference nod was the first for a Missouri player since 2005.

Missouri's teams were also strong in the classroom under the guidance of Potthoff. The Tigers were honored as an ITA Academic All-America Team in each of his four seasons.

Prior to joining the staff at Missouri, Potthoff spent over three years (2008-11) as the International Academy Coach at the John Newcombe Tennis Academy in New Braunfels, Texas. At the Academy, Potthoff worked with a wide variety of internationally-ranked junior players, including private lessons, group drills and match coaching. In his three years, Potthoff helped over 75 high school student-athletes earn scholarships to play tennis at the collegiate level.

Potthoff began his coaching career at his alma mater, Texas A&M, where he served as a graduate assistant coach for the men's tennis team from 2005-07. During his time in College Station, Potthoff coordinated the squad's day-to-day operations and assisted in all aspects of the Aggie program. Texas A&M advanced to the NCAA Tournament in both seasons that Potthoff was with the program, including a Second Round appearance in 2007.

Potthoff graduated from Texas A&M in 2005 with a B.A. in marketing, and he obtained his M.S. in kinesiology in 2007.

COACHING EXPERIENCE
Year Team, Position
2005-07 Texas A&M, Graduate Assistant
2008-11 John Newcombe Tennis Academy, International Academy Coach
2011-15 Missouri, Assistant Coach
2015-Pres. Houston, Assistant Coach