Metz Announces Next Chapter After ICC Tennis Tenure

FULTON, Miss. - Itawamba Community College head men's and women's tennis coach Michael Metz will step down at the end of the season to accept the position of director of tennis at Tupelo Country Club.

Metz has led the ICC men's and women's tennis programs since 2016 and will leave after a tenure marked by national tournament appearances, individual national-level success and major honors for the program.

Both ICC tennis programs are currently ranked by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, with the men at No. 19 and the women at No. 24. Under Metz, both programs have been ranked each season during his tenure.

Under Metz, the programs combined to make five NJCAA National Tournament appearances. The men's team finished NJCAA Region 23 runner-up and earned MACCC Academic Team of the Year honors in 2024.

Also in 2024, Metz was named the ITA Region III Coach of the Year after leading ICC to a 13th-place finish at the NJCAA National DI Men's Tennis Tournament. Metz also coached Franco Roldan to ITA All-America honors and helped guide two players to NJCAA national singles quarterfinal appearances during his ICC tenure, including Roldan.

ICC student-athletes also earned major recognition under Metz's leadership, including Russell Applewhite becoming the first ICC student-athlete to receive the ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award.

"Coach Metz has continued to build on the tennis culture at ICC defined not only by national rankings and tournament appearances, but by the character and academic success of his student-athletes," said Dr. Jay Allen, ICC president. "For nearly a decade, he has represented this college with integrity, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to excellence."

"This was a very tough decision for me and my family, but we are excited to start this next chapter," said Metz. "ICC has been a special place to work and raise a family. I want to thank all of our current and former players who have helped build and continue the success of the programs. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and I look forward to seeing all the great things ahead for the programs in the future."

Before arriving at ICC, Metz built an extensive coaching and player development resume at the collegiate and club levels. He served as a volunteer assistant and assistant coach at Mississippi State from 1998 to 2006, including stints as women's assistant coach from 2000 to 2002 and men's assistant coach from 2003 to 2006. He was head men's tennis coach at Birmingham-Southern College from 2002 to 2003.

He also served as director of tennis at Magnolia Tennis Club in Columbus and Shiloh Ridge in Corinth and worked with Tupelo Tennis Academy, as well as local tennis clubs, as a private coach and head pro. Metz is a Professional Tennis Registry member and PTR Master of Performance and also holds International Tennis Performance Association credentials as a Tennis Performance Trainer and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist.

As a player, Metz competed at Mississippi State from 1994 to 1998 and was the only Bulldog to be part of two NCAA semifinal teams, in 1994 and 1998. He played on a top-10 Mississippi State team in each season of his career. The Bulldogs reached the NCAA Team Championship semifinals in 1994 and 1998 and were quarterfinalists in 1995, 1996 and 1997. Metz was undefeated in doubles play at the 1998 NCAA Tournament and was part of Mississippi State's 1996 SEC Team Tournament championship team.

After his college career, Metz competed professionally in USTA Futures events in 1999 before moving into coaching.

Metz earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Mississippi State. He and his wife, Tammi, have three children: Parker, Warren and Livi.

The search for ICC's next head men's and women's tennis coach will begin immediately.