Steinberg is coming off back-to-back NCAA quarterfinals appearances at Michigan and has 32 seasons of Division I head coaching experience.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Adam Steinberg has been hired as the new head men’s tennis coach at the University of Florida, Athletic Director Scott Stricklin announced on Friday.
Steinberg becomes the 11th head coach of the Florida Gators after accumulating an overall record of 582-287 (.711) in 32 seasons as a head coach at four different Division I programs. He has guided his teams to 21 NCAA Tournament appearances, including four quarterfinals appearances, and brought Pepperdine University their first and only men’s tennis national championship in 2006. Since then, Steinberg has been the leader of Michigan’s men’s tennis program for the past nine seasons, recording five seasons of at-least 20 victories.
“It’s a privilege to be the new leader of the Florida men’s tennis program, said Steinberg. “The University of Florida is rich with tradition and is the ultimate combination of academics and athletics. I’m beyond thrilled to get started in the Orange & Blue and continuing the Gators excellence on and off the court.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Adam and his family to Gator Nation,” said Athletic Director Scott Stricklin. “Adam is a proven winner and his track record speaks for itself. His ability to recruit, develop and compete for championships will position our men’s tennis program for success for years to come.”
Since leading Michigan to its biggest turnaround in school history during the 2016 season, Michigan is 172-64 (.729) over nine seasons, has qualified for the NCAA Tournament seven consecutive years and is coming off back-to-back quarterfinal appearances for the first time in program history. With Steinberg at the helm (2014-23), the Wolverines have enjoyed the winningest stretch in program history, as the 2021 Big Ten Coach of the Year and 2022 ITA Midwest Coach of the Year has produced the second, third and fourth most wins in a single season. This year, Steinberg coached ITA Senior of the Year Ondrej Styler to the NCAA Singles national championship, the farthest run by a Wolverine since 1987.
During his tenure in Ann Harbor, Steinberg has coached 21 All-Big Ten selections, including 15 first team and six second team. Additionally, six different Wolverines have earned ITA All-American honors a total of nine times. His players have been just as strong off the court, as 48 Academic All-Big Ten honors have been received by 20 different Wolverines.
Steinberg’s background also includes 12 years as a head coach at Pepperdine (2002-14). There, he compiled a record of 282-105 (.729) and won the 2006 National Championship, two WCC regular season titles and 10 WCC Tournament championships. The 2006 Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Coach of the Year and a seven-time West Coach Conference Coach of the Year, Steinberg guided the Waves to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, including five Sweet 16 appearances, one Elite Eight trip and two Final Four appearances.
Eleven of Steinberg’s players at Pepperdine were named ITA All-Americans 27 times (13 in singles, 14 in doubles), and a Wave student-athlete was named WCC Player of the Year in 12 of his 13 seasons. In addition, he tutored 32 All-WCC first-team selections in singles and 18 first-team doubles pairs.
Steinberg, has also made coaching stops at Alabama, Northwestern and St. John’s. Prior to taking the helm at Pepperdine, he was the head coach at Alabama (1998-02), where he posted an overall record of 69-57 (.548) and led the Crimson Tide to four NCAA Tournament appearances.
Steinberg began his coaching career at St. John’s University from 1989-95. In six seasons with the Red Storm, he posted a dual-match record of 76-23 (.768) and led the program to a Big East title in 1991. Steinberg was an assistant coach at St. John’s for the 1989-90 season and spent two seasons at Northwestern (1996-97).
He enjoyed a successful collegiate tennis career at Penn State (1984-88), where he served as team captain his senior season. He received his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Penn State in 1989.
A native of New York, Steinberg and his wife, Casey, have two daughters, Mia and Billie.
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