Byrd named head tennis coach
Ryland Byrd has been named the new head men’s and women’s tennis coach at Mars Hill University, as announced by Director of Athletics Rick Baker.
MARS HILL, N.C. – Ryland Byrd has been named the new head men's and women's tennis coach at Mars Hill University, as announced by Director of Athletics Rick Baker.
Byrd joins Mars Hill after serving as the assistant and interim head coach at Emory & Henry College from August 2021 to this summer. Prior to joining the Wasps, Byrd served as assistant coach at Milligan University from 2019-21.
"Ryland will be a great fit to lead our men's and women's tennis teams," Baker stated. "He was a very successful player and has enjoyed successful teams coaching at the college ranks. Coach Byrd knows how tough the South Atlantic Conference is to compete in after coaching in our league the past two years. He is also familiar with recruiting in our geographical footprint and has experience recruiting internationally as well."
He served as the assistant tennis professional at the Blackthorn Club from 2015-16 while offering lessons in and around Tennessee and Virginia.
Byrd graduated from the University of Mary Washington in the summer of 2019 with a bachelor's in business administration. While at Mary Washington, he was ranked No. 12 in the nation and was a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee member.
"I am super excited to be named the head tennis coach at Mars Hill," Byrd said. "I'm ready to work with the players and be able to coach them in life, not just on the tennis court."
