The University of Alabama in Huntsville has announced the hiring of Daniel Finn to be the program’s next men’s and women’s head tennis coach. The new leader comes to Huntsville with a strong record of success in both his coaching and playing career.
“Daniel Finn knows how to win,” said UAH Director of Athletics Dr. E. J. Brophy. “He’s a tireless worker, a solid recruiter and very energetic. We look forward to him leading our tennis program to the next level.”
Finn moves to the Rocket City after spending a year at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Ky., achieving immediate success at his alma mater. He guided the women’s team to an appearance in the NAIA national quarterfinals after achieving a perfect record in conference play en route to winning the Mid-South Conference championship.
Finishing the season ranked No. 8 in the NAIA postseason poll, Finn’s squad featured a trio of NAIA All-Americans, while his team also boasted a Daktronics Scholar Athlete.
“I’m really excited to be here,” said Finn. “I’m so happy that Dr. Brophy has given me the opportunity to come down here. Everybody here has been very welcoming, and that means a lot to me and my family.”
His men’s squad also captured the MSC title last season with a perfect tour through conference play while advancing into the second round of the NAIA national tournament. The team racked up five wins against nationally-ranked opponents on its way to finishing No. 10 in the NAIA postseason poll.
Under Finn’s guidance, two of his players earned NAIA All-American status, and he also mentored the MSC Freshman of the Year.
Finn hopes to bring that level of success to the UAH courts.
“I see a lot of potential for this tennis program,” he stated. “The foundation has been laid, and I don’t see anything but a bright future for the program going forward. I definitely have high aspirations and goals.”
Additionally, the new Charger head coach sees the strong academics at UAH as nothing but a great benefit to his tennis squads.
“I think strong academics translate into strong players,” said Finn. “If you’re disciplined in the classroom, you’ll be disciplined on the court. Discipline is a big thing for me as a coach – undisciplined teams don’t win championships.”
Prior to returning to the place where he was a member of four MSC championship teams in his playing days, Finn spent a pair of seasons guiding the programs at Union College in Barbourville, Ky. His efforts earned him Appalachian Athletic Conference Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year in both 2010 and 2011 as he guided the Bulldogs to an ITA Southeast Region Singles title.
His first head coaching stint came in 2009 as he took a winless program at Simpson College and guided the men’s team to a nine-win season, and his initial coaching experience came as a student-assistant at Lindsey Wilson in 2007 and 2008.
Finn graduated from Lindsey Wilson in 2008, and he is married to the former Roxanne Kirchner and resides in Huntsville with daughters Payton and Brooklynn.
