Clarksville, Ark.-Jeff Kutac has been named the new Head Women's and Men's Tennis Coach at the University of the Ozarks, it was announced by Athletics Director Jimmy Clark Tuesday, August 22.

Kutac brings an impressive resume to Ozarks with NCAA Division I coaching experience, most recently from Kennesaw State University and Texas Christian University, as well as from NCAA Division III. He is the current Director of Adult Leagues and a tennis professional in Highland Park, Texas. He was the program director for elite and tournament training programs in Highland Park from 2008-2011.

"We are excited to hire a coach with such an extensive background in tennis," said Clark. "He has had athletic and academic success at large NCAA institutions, and I believe that success and experience will benefit our programs. He is known for his instructing ability, and how well his players develop on and off the court. He recognizes our investment to tennis with the new tennis center. I believe he will thrive in our environment."

While serving as the head women's coach at Kennesaw State from 2011-2015, Kutac had eight ITA Scholar-Athletes, three A-Sun All-Academic Team members, eight First Team All-Conference players and three Second Team All-Conference players. In his first season at Kennesaw, he posted an 18-6 overall record and a 7-3 conference mark. He coached the conference's Freshman of the Year and conference's Scholar-Athlete of the Year at Kennesaw. As an assistant men's coach at TCU, Kutac helped the program to a Mountain West Conference championship and a final national ranking of No. 34. The Horned Frogs posted multiple wins over nationally ranked teams and were ranked as high as No. 27 during his tenure.

"I want to thank President Dunsworth and Mr. Clark for trusting me with the future of the program," said Kutac. "I'm excited to be a part of the campus and help move the tennis program forward. I believe in the mission of University of the Ozarks, and I recognize the institution supports its athletic programs and is committed to success. And, the people are great here."

Kutac will be the first head coach to compete in the new multi-million dollar tennis center expected to open in 2018.

"The new facility will have the ability to impact our athletes, the Clarksville community and Arkansas in a positive way through tennis," he said. "The PlaySight technology will play a major role in the development of tennis within our programs."

Kutac believes his job is to provide a positive experience to his student-athletes.

"My No. 1 goal is to provide a positive experience," he said. "I believe that is accomplished through a family-like atmosphere, hard work and individual development. We are in this together, and I'm here to help."
    
"The University of the Ozarks presents a comprehensive liberal arts education system that allows the student to find who they are. The university emphasizes personal development of all students and the LENS program here is incredible. I look forward to being a part of this wonderful institution."

As an assistant women's coach, Kutac helped Georgia Tech to a top-30 ranking and Clemson University to the NCAA Tournament. As an assistant women's and men's coach at NCAA Division III Kenyon College, he guided both programs to top-10 national rankings. Additionally, he was the head men's coach at Monmouth University, Florida Southern College, DePaul University and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. His wide-ranging camp experience includes time at TCU, Clemson, Rice University and Pepperdine University.

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, he received his bachelor's degree in Political Science from Stephen F. Austin in 1991. He received his master's degree in Counseling and Guidance Services from Clemson in 1996.

In 2018, Kutac's teams will compete in one of the premier tennis centers in NCAA Division III. The center will include eight lighted courts, along with state-of-the-art "smart technology" courts from PlaySight, a building housing a concession area, bathrooms and storage. The courts will feature video streaming capabilities and teaching technology designed to enhance the player, coach, and spectator experience. Construction began on the new tennis center in early August.