Alex Hunt became the first full-time Men's and Women's Tennis Coach at The University of Virginia's College at Wise in the summer of 2024.
In his first year at UVA Wise (2024-2025), he oversaw the Men's Tennis Team's best showing in South Atlantic Conference play, securing first ever wins over Anderson and Coker. During the spring season, the Men's Tennis Team also appeared in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's (ITA) national rankings for the first time in the program's NCAA DII history, coming in at number 44. Coach Hunt's Fall 2025 recruiting class for both the Men's and Women's Tennis Teams were the highest rated recruiting classes in both programs' history.
Hunt comes to Wise, Virginia from the University of Texas-Permian Basin (UTPB), where he coached both the women's and men's tennis programs. In the Spring of 2024, Hunt was named the Wilson ITA South Central Region Men's Tennis Coach of the Year after a historic 2024 spring season for the UTPB Men's Tennis team who won the Lone Star Conference (LSC) Championship and the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Championship, making the NCAA DII Sweet 16 and finishing with a 20-5 overall record. He also coached the first UTPB women's player to receive an ITA national singles ranking in program history, the first ITA Regional men's doubles champions in program history, and the LSC men's Player of the Year. In addition to those individual accomplishments of his players came a multitude of first team and second team All Lone Star Conference awards. His first semester at UTPB, spring 2023, he oversaw the men's program's first ever win over St. Mary's University and their first ever win over a nationally ranked opponent, Harding University, then ranked number 40 in the ITA national rankings. On the women's side, he coached the team to one of their better seasons in recent history with a huge upset win over nationally ranked Lubbock Christian University.
Prior to UTPB Hunt served as Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach at Western New Mexico University (2020-2022), where he also earned ITA Regional Coach of the Year in 2022 along with being named LSC Men's Tennis Coach of the Year in 2022 after leading the program to unprecedented success. He also recruited the highest ranked class in program history for the women's team.
Hunt is the first head tennis coach at UVA Wise to have full-time coaching duties. "It is an exciting time in the life of our tennis programs and we are so excited to welcome Coach Hunt to UVA Wise. Coach Hunt is a proven winner and his success at the NCAA DII level, his drive, and his vision for the program align perfectly with our mission of taking UVA Wise tennis and athletics to new heights. His experience and values of hard work and relentlessly pursuing goals are elite, and we are energized around this pursuit," stated UVA Wise Athletic Director Kendall Rainey.
"I'm super excited to join the UVA Wise Athletics department as the Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach. Dr. Rainey and Dr. Henry have built an incredible amount of support for the athletic department and the university as a whole," said Hunt. "I'm seeing a lot of investment into UVA Wise, and after listening to Dr. Rainey's vision, and molding it with my vision, I get goosebumps just thinking about what can be accomplished. Through the process I have set for these programs, there is no reason we shouldn't be winning at the national stage very soon. Keep track of the UVA Wise Men's and Women's Tennis Programs over the next few years. Watch our #ThePursuit team culture take off. It's going to be fun to watch. Go Cavs!"
Hunt is a native of Odessa, Texas and competed at Hardin-Simmons University where he earned a bachelor's degree in social studies education and a master's degree in Kinesiology, Sports, & Recreation Management. During his playing career he earned multiple NCAA DIII National Rankings. He was also the American Southwest Conference (ASC) West MVP and Sportsmanship Player of the Year as a senior. As a freshman at HSU, Hunt also earned ASC West Freshman of the Year and Most Valuable Player.
Rainey continued, "Coach Hunt is a passionate coach who has strong vision for the program, and we are impressed with his expectations. A competitive player, a talented recruiter, and a visionary coach poised to lead."
"I'd like to thank my beautiful wife, Megan, and our two amazing kids, Johnny and Margo, for being my rock," said Hunt. "Through the highs and lows of life they always fill my days with so much love and happiness. I can't wait for this journey with them. I'd also like to thank my parents, grandparents, Shane Williford of Hardin-Simmons University, and Wade Morgan of Texas Wesleyan University for their continued support and love throughout my life and career."
