Nilsson led Pepperdine to the NCAA Tournament every year under his reign, including a 2021 championship appearance and semifinals run in 2024.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Per Nilsson, who led Pepperdine to NCAA final and semifinal rounds twice since 2021, is now the University of Florida head women’s tennis coach, Athletic Director Scott Stricklin announced Tuesday. Nilsson brings 21 seasons of head coaching experience and 18 NCAA Tournament appearances to his role at Florida, including success on both the women’s and men’s side and a deep familiarity with the Southeastern Conference.
Nilsson becomes the seventh head coach in program history and joins the Gators after spending nine years at Pepperdine (2015-24). During his stint with the Waves, Nilsson garnered an impressive 211-48 (.815) overall record and led the program to every possible West Coast Conference regular season (9) and tournament (8) titles.
Since Nilsson took over in 2015, Pepperdine has made the NCAA Tournament every year including a championship debut (2021), another semifinal appearance in 2024 and four quarterfinal appearances (2016, 2017, 2019, 2022). Under Nilsson’s helm, the Wave finished each season since 2016 ranked in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association top-10.
While at Pepperdine, Nilsson hired Florida Hall of Famer, Lauren Embree. Embree is a five time All-American and won the NCAA title twice during her time as a Gator, making her one of the most decorated student-athletes in UF program history. Following her collegiate career, she served as an assistant coach for the Waves under Nilsson.
“Per develops such unbelievable relationships with his players and gets them to buy in and play super-hard because they love him, Embree said. “There was no reason for Pepperdine to be any good competing against Stanford, UCLA, USC and Cal, but he was right there, playing for championships, every year.”
“This job feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am incredibly grateful for the chance to be a Florida Gator under Scott Stricklin and appreciate the trust he has placed in me to be part of an athletic program that consistently ranks among the best in nation, Nilsson said. “I’m eager to work with the current athletes and look forward to welcoming emerging young talent who are passionate about their growth both on and off the court. The school’s academic excellence and its athletic programs create an ideal foundation for building championship-caliber teams and well-rounded individuals. “
“We’re thrilled to welcome Per, who has proven to be a highly-competitive, development-focused coach,” Stricklin said. “He brings a track record of success, a wide range of experience and a demonstrated ability to bring out the best in student-athletes on and off the court. Per embraces the challenge of leading a championship-rich program, and we are excited to have him and his family join us here at UF.”
Before Nilsson was named head coach of the Waves, he served as the head men’s tennis coach at fellow SEC school, Mississippi State. Between 2008-2014 Nilsson led the Bulldogs to back-to-back SEC West titles (2011, 2012), and brought Mississippi State to four straight NCAA Tournaments from 2011-2014.
During his six seasons at Mississippi State, Nilsson developed four ITA All-Americans, 17 All-SEC selections, three SEC Freshman of Year, and one ITA National Freshman of the Year. Nilsson was also honored as the SEC Coach of the Year in 2011, and received the Southern Regional Coach of the Year award in 2011 and 2013.
Prior to Nilsson’s stretch in Starkville, he served as the assistant coach for Pepperdine men’s tennis team under head coach Adam Steinberg, the current Gator men’s coach. Throughout his five seasons under Steinberg the Waves went 119-38 and won the 2006 NCAA Championship.
Nilsson played collegiately at Mississippi State from 1991-94 and served as team captain his senior year. While playing for the Bulldogs, Nilsson and his teammates earned three consecutive top-10 national rankings, and received three bids into the NCAA Tournament (1992, 1993, 1994). Nilsson capped off his college career in the 1994 NCAA Tournament final four and was ranked No. 6 on the Bulldogs’ all-time career victory list in both singles and doubles.
Following his playing career, Nilsson was the student assistant coach for the Bulldogs from 1995-1996 before accepting roles as a tennis professional at Capital City Country Club and St. Marlo Country Club. Nilsson also served as the Director of Tennis at Apalachee Farms before returning to college athletics.
Nilsson is originally from Lund, Sweden, and earned a degree in business and sports administration from Mississippi State in 2008. Nilsson is married to the former Beth Vennerstrom and the two have a son, Reef.
Year
School
Overall
Pct.
Conference
Finish
Conference Tournament
NCAA Finish
Final Rank
Men
2008
Mississippi State
8-12
.400
2-9
11th
First
DNA
58
2009
Mississippi State
6-15
.286
2-9
T10th
First
DNA
72
2010
Mississippi State
10-12
.455
2-8
10th
Quarter
DNA
48
2011
Mississippi State
14-9
.609
8-3
T3rd
First
Second
20
2012
Mississippi State
20-7
.741
9-2
3rd
Semi
Second
11
2013
Mississippi State
18-10
.643
6-6
T7th
Second
Third
11
2014
Mississippi State
19-11
.633
7-5
5th
Second
Second
19
95-76
.556
36-42
Women
2015
Pepperdine
18-7
.720
8-1
T1st
1st
Second
22
2016
Pepperdine
24-3
.889
9-0
1st
1st
Quarter
9
2017
Pepperdine
24-5
.828
9-0
1st
1st
Quarter
8
2018
Pepperdine
24-3
.889
9-0
1st
1st
Third
2019
Pepperdine
24-4
.857
9-0
1st
1st
Quarter
6
2020
Pepperdine
8-4
.667
Canceled
Canceled
Canceled
2021
Pepperdine
25-4
.862
8-0
1st
Canceled
Final
4
2022
Pepperdine
23-7
.767
7-0
1st
1st
Quarter
8
2023
Pepperdine
20-4
.833
7-0
1st
1st
Third
6
2024
Pepperdine
21-7
.750
6-0
1st
1st
Semi
6
211-48
.815
72-1
Per Nilsson File
Birthdate:
June 11, 1972
Collegiate (Mississippi State: 1992-94)
Mississippi State (1992-94). MSU won 1993 SEC title. Team captain as a senior in 1994
Coaching Career
● Florida Head Women’s Coach (2024-present)
● Pepperdine Head Women’s Coach (summer 2014-fall 2024)
● Mississippi State Head Men’s Coach (2008-14)
● Pepperdine Assistant Men’s Coach (2003-07)
● 1998-2000 Apalachee Farms Director of Tennis
● 1995-98 Tennis Professional at Capital City Country Club and St. Mario Country Club
● 1994-95 Mississippi State Student Assistant Men’s Coach
Coaching Honors
● 2017, 2018, 2019 ITA Southwest Regional Women’s Coach of the Year
● 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2014 West Coast Conference Women’s Coach of the Year
● 2011 & 2013 ITA Southern Region Men’s Coach of the Year
● 2011 SEC Men’s Coach of the Year
Degree:
Business and Sports Administration from Mississippi State (2008)
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