SAN ANTONIO – Newly-hired UTSA men’s tennis coach Sasha Gozun announced on Monday, Sept. 16, that one of UTSA’s past stars will also be part of shaping the future of the program, as Gozun has hired former Roadrunner Joao Ceolin to be his assistant coach as he begins his first season as the leader of the program.
“We are very fortunate to have JC back with the team after his successful college playing career and professional playing career,” Gozun said. “He will bring a lot of experience and knowledge to our current and future players.”
Ceolin arrives back at UTSA after competing professionally in ATP and ITF circuits, and recently coaching locally over the past two years at RPM Tennis Academy after Saviano Tennis Academy, building on the work he did at Ivie Oliver Tennis Academy and with UTSA’s tennis clinics during his playing career.
“Being back at UTSA brings back the best memories I had, and I hope to share my experience with the team and make their college career as successful as possible,” Ceolin said. “I’m excited to be on the courts again and say Go ‘Runners!”
Originally from Palotina, Brazil, Ceolin was a member of the Roadrunners’ squad for five seasons, finishing up his career with back-to-back Conference USA First Team Singles honors, a 2022 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Texas Region Most Improved Senior Award and two consecutive years as a nationally ranked singles player – helping the Roadrunners to 57 wins over the course of his career.
With 47 singles wins in a tie for the fifth most-winning player in program history, Ceolin ranked as high as No. 65 nationally in his senior season and earned three Conference USA Player of the Week honors and a CUSA Athlete of the Month laurel across his final two playing seasons. Ceolin also secured 43 wins in doubles across his Roadrunners career.
Since beginning his work on the sidelines of UTSA’s courts, the Roadrunners are two tournaments and one week deep in the 2024 Fall schedule, looking ahead to seven additional fall events, including the NCAA’s move this season to host conference and NCAA individual championships in the fall.
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