Russell McMindes ‘02 will enter his 17th season as Trinity’s head men’s tennis coach when the 2025-26 campaign gets underway.
The former Tiger men’s standout was appointed to the position in July 2009. He has established himself as one of the most successful coaches in NCAA Division III tennis. Over the past 15 seasons, the Tigers have amassed a dual-match record of 281-147 (.657). Under Coach McMindes, the Tigers have had 83 All-SCAC players, 42 All-Americans, 12 SCAC Players of the Year, 7 SCAC Freshman of the Year, 134 SCAC All-Tournament players, and has won SCAC Coach of the Year 13 times.
During the 2025 season, the Tigers posted a record of 16-10 in dual matches. After hoisting their 15th-straight SCAC Championship trophy, Coach McMindes and the Tigers were ready to compete in the NCAA Playoffs. After getting a round one bye and defeating Pomona in round two, the Tigers eventually fell to CMS. Trinity posted eight All-SCAC players and had three players earn ITA All-American honors. Freshman Rocco Mendez took home SCAC Newcomer of the Year while Coach McMindes captured his 13th SCAC Coach of the Year title. The Tigers also took home ITA Regional Championships in both singles and doubles. Senior Eric Liao earned ITA West Region Senior Player of the Year honors.
Coach McMindes has guided three Trinity men’s doubles teams to an ITA National Championship. Matt Tyer and Adam Krull won top honors in October 2015. Bobby Cocanougher and Cory Kowal took the ITA championship in 2010 and advanced to the 2011 NCAA Doubles final. Aaron Skinner and Jordan Mayer repeated the ITA Championship feat in 2014. Skinner also won the ITA Singles Championship in 2012 and later advanced to the NCAA Singles Semifinals.
The 2015 team traveled to Saint Peter, Minnesota, where the Tigers won the ITA National Indoor Team Championship. Trinity emerged as the top-ranked team in the nation. The Tigers later advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the fifth time in six years and completed the season with a #8 ranking, and a 19-9 record. Skinner was also elected the 2015 SCAC Man of the Year.
Following the 2014 season, Coach McMindes received a high honor from his colleagues. He was elected the Wilson/Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Division III Coach of the Year. Coach McMindes skippered the Tigers to a third-place finish at the NCAA Team Championships and a mark of 26-7. Trinity made its first Semifinals appearance since 2000, when the Tigers won the national crown. Four of Coach McMindes’ players were named to the All-America Team in 2014.
During the 2011-12 season, Coach McMindes also coached the Tiger women’s team. Trinity’s women’s squad captured its first SCAC Championship since 2006 and qualified for the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers, who advanced to the Second Round, made their first NCAA appearance in four years. Mackenzie Knoop battled her way to the NCAA Singles Semifinals, becoming the first Tiger women’s semifinalist since 2002. Three Tiger players garnered All-America honors during Coach McMindes’ tenure.
Coach McMindes served for six seasons as the Tigers men’s assistant coach under the legendary Butch Newman, Trinity’s Director of Tennis. In 2009, Coach McMindes was named the ITA West Region Men’s Tennis Assistant Coach of the Year.
As a Tiger player, Coach McMindes was a three-year letterwinner and was a member of the 2000 National Championship team. He received All-SCAC honors for three years. Prior to joining Trinity’s program, Coach McMindes played for one season for Oklahoma Christian University.
Coach McMindes earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Trinity in 2002 with a concentration in chemical engineering. A resident of San Antonio, Coach McMindes was the Clemens High School valedictorian in 1997.
A talented instructor of the game of tennis, Coach McMindes was a teaching professional at the San Antonio Country Club. The members had the good fortune of taking lessons from a United States Professional Tennis Association Certified Pro.
Coach McMindes and his wife, Cat, are the parents of a young daughter, Mia.
