Former University of Texas standout Daniel Whitehead enters his third season as head coach of the Concordia University Texas men’s and women’s tennis teams. He was hired to the position on March 30, 2015.
In the 2016-17 season, Whitehead led both the men’s and women’s teams to the ASC Tournament. It was the second appearance in a row for the men, while it was the women’s first-ever appearance in the tournament.
The women set a program record for wins, finishing 6-12 on the season and 3-3 in conference play to lock up the three-seed in the ASC West Division.
In 2015-16, Whitehead guided the Tornado men to their first-ever ASC Tournament appearance. The squad also set a program record in victories; while on the women's side, the Tornados matched their previous wins record.
In two years under Whitehead, the teams have earned a combined eight ASC All-Conference awards, including Adrian Montes and Hayley Anderson earning Second-Team honors in the 2016-17 season.
“Danny is an emerging talent in the tennis coaching community,” Bonewitz said. “His high level of experience, both playing and coaching, was attractive to us. He has ties to our main recruiting areas in the state of Texas, and he has been a winner at every level. He has a great vision for our programs and I am confident that he can build both teams into a product that this University is proud to support.”
Whitehead has spent the last two seasons as an assistant women’s tennis coach at the University of Houston under head coach Patrick Sullivan. Following a year as a volunteer assistant, he was promoted to assistant coach on June 2, 2014.
In his first year with the Cougars, he helped guide the squad to one of its best seasons in school history, as Houston finished with a 21-6 overall record, and the program earned its first NCAA Tournament berth since 1998.
In 2014-15, Whitehead helped lead the Cougars to a top-40 ranking, 11 consecutive victories and a perfect record in American Athletic Conference action.
Prior to working at Houston, Whitehead spent the 2013 fall campaign as a volunteer assistant coach for the men’s tennis team at Rice.
As a player he was a two-year team captain for a Longhorns squad that finished in the top 25 all four years, while being ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation. Whitehead earned All-Big 12 honors twice in singles play and once in doubles, while also being named Academic All-Big 12 in each of his final three seasons.
Whitehead was a top-100 NCAA singles and doubles player for a majority of his collegiate career. His 86 career singles victories at Texas ranks 22nd all-time in program history.
Before joining the Longhorns, the Houston native was ranked No. 1 in the state in boys’ 14, 16 and 18 age divisions. He also was ranked as high as No. 27 nationally in the USTA boys 16 division.
Whitehead earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and health with an emphasis in physical culture and sport from Texas in 2013. He and his wife, Samantha, reside in Austin.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT WHITEHEAD
"Concordia has made a brilliant hire. Danny is a man of impeccable character and one of the brightest young coaches in the industry. He will build and lead a tennis program that the University and community can be proud of."
– Patrick Sullivan, Head Women's Tennis Coach, University of Houston
| Year |
School |
Men's Record |
Men's Conference |
Women's Record |
Women's Conference |
| 2015-16 |
Concordia Texas |
6-12 |
3-2 (3rd/ASC West) |
1-12 |
0-5 (7th/ASC West) |
| 2016-17 |
Concordia Texas |
4-13 |
2-4 (4th/ASC West) |
6-12 |
3-3 (3rd/ASC West) |
| Totals |
2 seasons |
10-25 (.286) |
5-6 (.454) |
7-24 (.226) |
3-8 (.273) |
