ITA National Assistant Coach of the Year
David Jacobs from Indiana University of PA has been named the 2023 ITA National Assistant Coach of the Year.
Dave Jacobs has been a long time volunteer assistant coach at IUP and this year made a much bigger contribution to the program when he unexpectedly stepped in as interim coach, as the fall-season was getting under way.
In the past, Jacobs has mostly been involved with on-court coaching. This past September he had to learn every other aspect of coaching a college tennis program on-the-fly during the busy travel-heavy fall season.
Jacobs not only managed the program, he mentored the team to a PSAC title, a 10-1 record against regional opponents, and 2 wins in the NCAA Atlantic regional tournament to earn a trip to Orland for the NCAA Round of 16.
Jacobs stepped into a difficult set of circumstances and did a great job handling the heightened responsibilities, while leading the team through the unanticipated changes to compete at a championship level.
A Letter From Athletic Director Todd Garzarelli
Congratulations on being awarded the prestigious ITA Assistant Coach of the Year! I'd like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on this remarkable achievement and national recognition. Your hard work, dedication and outstanding coaching skills have truly set you apart in the field of tennis coaching.
Winning the ITA Assistant Coach of the Year Award is a testament to your exceptional talent and the significant impact you have made in the lives of our student-athletes. Your unwavering commitment to their growth and development, both as players and individuals, has not gone unnoticed. It was a winding road that culminated with no shortage of excitement, including a PSAC Championship and a berth in the NCAA Round of 16.
Your expertise and strategic approach to coaching have helped your student-athletes reach new heights, pushing them beyond their limits and enabling them to achieve their full potential.
The ITA Assistant Coach of the Year Award is a well-deserved recognition of your hard work and the tremendous contributions you have made in just a short time with the program.
Once again, congratulations on this outstanding achievement!