Bob Larson's Tennis News | Maren named associate head coach at North Texas

North Texas tennis assistant coach Jeff Maren has been named the team's associate head coach announced by Director of Athletics Rick Villarreal on Monday.

"I am honored to be given the title of associate head coach of the women's team at North Texas," said Maren. "I appreciate the confidence that Rick Villarreal and Coach Lama have in me, and I am looking forward to playing my role in helping the team accomplish its goals for next season."

"Since joining the coaching staff here at North Texas, Coach Maren has helped elevate North Texas tennis to national prominence," said NT Director of Athletics Rick Villarreal. "Jeff has been an intregal part in the development of the tennis program and is well-deserving of being the team's associate head coach."

Maren has been an assistant coach at North Texas the past three years under head coach Sujay Lama and has helped bring success back to a program that was 2-19 in 2007. In 2007-08, the team finished 13-9 with final ranking of No. 13 in the Southwest Region. The Mean Green closed the '08-09 campaign with a 17-6 mark and a semifinals appearance in the Sun Belt Championships.

"Coach Maren has been instrumental in the turnaround of our program," said Lama. "He has tremendous abilities as a coach and is a great teacher. Most importantly, Coach Maren is a good human being who truly cares about his role as a mentor to young people. This promotion is well earned and we are blessed to have him as part of our Mean Green family."

Maren spent the better part of twenty years teaching and managing tennis clubs in Kentucky.

In 2005, Maren was presented with the prestigious "Kentucky Pro Of The Year" award by the USTA. In addition to his involvement with tennis clubs, Maren also has five years of college coaching experience. He started and developed two programs- the women’s team at Thomas More College, and the men’s team at Brescia University.

Despite his success at the club level and small college programs, Maren chose to pursue a dream.

In addition to his coaching experience, Coach Maren also has an extensive playing background. He was a high school All-American at Owensboro Catholic High School in Kentucky. He earned a scholarship to Thomas More College and qualified for the NAIA National Championships all four years (1985-89). He was the district champion three times in both singles and doubles, and was nationally-ranked in singles his senior year.

Maren finished his collegiate career winning 81 out of 101 singles matches played. He continued playing competitively in open and pro events around the country, and in 2002 was ranked in the top 25 in the country in men’s 35 and over singles.

Maren has played tournament tennis every year for the past 26 years.

Jeff has been married to his wife, Julie, for 10 years and they have a seven-year-old son, Zachary.