It was announced on Sept. 16, 2024, that one of UTSA’s past stars will also be part of shaping the future of the program, as newly-appointed head coach Sasha Gozun was set to bring former Roadrunner Joao Ceolin aboard as his assistant coach.
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 at the time of his hiring. “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.