University of Memphis Athletics
Chris Doerr Returns to Lead Memphis Men's Tennis
Jun 13, 2023 | Men's Tennis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Chris Doerr, a former assistant coach at the University of Memphis, has been named head coach of the men's tennis program, Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Laird Veatch announced Tuesday.
Doerr returns to Memphis after four seasons at Florida State. In 2023, he helped lead the Seminoles (20-9) to their second-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and a No. 20 final ranking in the ITA poll.
"I'm very excited to welcome Chris back to Memphis to lead our men's tennis program," Veatch said. "Having previously spent seven years at Memphis, we feel Chris is the perfect fit to lead this team into the future.
"Chris has had success at every level of tennis from a player to an assistant coach, but it was his work ethic, passion and leadership that put him above the rest. He has earned this opportunity to lead his own program and we could not be more thrilled to have him back as a Tiger."
Doerr played an integral role in the Seminoles' success over the past four seasons, compiling a 59-39 overall record while advancing to the second and third rounds of the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons.
In his last season in Tallahassee, he helped coach junior Antoine Cornut-Chauvinc to the highest singles ranking in program history when he reached No. 2 after anchoring a Florida State singles lineup that earned 11 wins over nationally ranked opponents.
"My family and I are so excited to come back to Memphis," Doerr said. "Our seven years here were some of the greatest we have ever experienced. I would like to thank Laird, Andrew (Roberts) and all the amazing Memphis staff who have helped get us back and believe in what we can do.
"I am very excited to be the head coach. This feels like a dream come true for me, especially with a brand-new tennis facility that is easily the best in the country. Paul (Goebel) was an incredible mentor and friend of mine and what he has taught me will never be forgotten. I can't wait to get started with the goals of being top 25 and getting us back to the Sweet 16."
Before his stint at FSU, Doerr served seven seasons under Paul Goebel where he helped guide the Tigers to a 104-62 overall record and five trips to the NCAA Tournament.
He joined the Memphis staff in August of 2012 as a volunteer assistant where he helped the Tigers bring home their first-ever Conference USA championship in 2013 and a spot in the third round of the NCAA Tournament, earning him a promotion to assistant coach. Memphis finished the campaign with a program-high ranking to end a season at No. 20.
In his six seasons as a full-time assistant coach, Doerr helped the Tigers to an 88-54 record, including four trips to the NCAA Tournament and one trip to the second round in 2014. He was named the 2015 and 2018 Ohio Valley Region Assistant Coach of the Year.
"I am very excited to welcome Chris and his family back to Memphis," Senior Associate Athletic Director and tennis administrator Andrew Roberts said. "It was important that the next leader of our men's tennis program understood how to be successful at Memphis and had a passion to be a Tiger. It was also vital that we continue to build on the tremendous legacy of Paul Goebel and the foundation of success he has built at Memphis.
"Chris brings an unmatched level of familiarity with our program, appreciation for our culture, and the ability to push Tiger Tennis even further. I think I speak for the entire team when I say we could not be more excited to see Chris return to Memphis and lead our program."
Before his initial stint in the Bluff City, Doerr spent one season as a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater Mississippi State (2010-11) where they went 14-9 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs were the SEC Western Division champions and finished the season ranked No. 20 in the nation.
Doerr was a four-year letter winner for the Bulldogs and was named SEC Player of the Week once as a junior.
A product of Bromley, England, Doerr was ranked as high as No. 11 in the English National Rankings and as high as No. 480 in the ITF Rankings.
In England, he was a member of the state championship team for four years and was a state champion in singles and doubles. He won a divisional title as the captain for the state team.
Doerr graduated from Mississippi State in 2010 with a degree in communications. He and his wife, Rachel McLemore Doerr, married in August of 2012. The couple have two children – Leighton and Archie – and a dog named Lily.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tiger Men's Tennis, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Doerr returns to Memphis after four seasons at Florida State. In 2023, he helped lead the Seminoles (20-9) to their second-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and a No. 20 final ranking in the ITA poll.
"I'm very excited to welcome Chris back to Memphis to lead our men's tennis program," Veatch said. "Having previously spent seven years at Memphis, we feel Chris is the perfect fit to lead this team into the future.
"Chris has had success at every level of tennis from a player to an assistant coach, but it was his work ethic, passion and leadership that put him above the rest. He has earned this opportunity to lead his own program and we could not be more thrilled to have him back as a Tiger."
Doerr played an integral role in the Seminoles' success over the past four seasons, compiling a 59-39 overall record while advancing to the second and third rounds of the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons.
In his last season in Tallahassee, he helped coach junior Antoine Cornut-Chauvinc to the highest singles ranking in program history when he reached No. 2 after anchoring a Florida State singles lineup that earned 11 wins over nationally ranked opponents.
"My family and I are so excited to come back to Memphis," Doerr said. "Our seven years here were some of the greatest we have ever experienced. I would like to thank Laird, Andrew (Roberts) and all the amazing Memphis staff who have helped get us back and believe in what we can do.
"I am very excited to be the head coach. This feels like a dream come true for me, especially with a brand-new tennis facility that is easily the best in the country. Paul (Goebel) was an incredible mentor and friend of mine and what he has taught me will never be forgotten. I can't wait to get started with the goals of being top 25 and getting us back to the Sweet 16."
Before his stint at FSU, Doerr served seven seasons under Paul Goebel where he helped guide the Tigers to a 104-62 overall record and five trips to the NCAA Tournament.
He joined the Memphis staff in August of 2012 as a volunteer assistant where he helped the Tigers bring home their first-ever Conference USA championship in 2013 and a spot in the third round of the NCAA Tournament, earning him a promotion to assistant coach. Memphis finished the campaign with a program-high ranking to end a season at No. 20.
In his six seasons as a full-time assistant coach, Doerr helped the Tigers to an 88-54 record, including four trips to the NCAA Tournament and one trip to the second round in 2014. He was named the 2015 and 2018 Ohio Valley Region Assistant Coach of the Year.
"I am very excited to welcome Chris and his family back to Memphis," Senior Associate Athletic Director and tennis administrator Andrew Roberts said. "It was important that the next leader of our men's tennis program understood how to be successful at Memphis and had a passion to be a Tiger. It was also vital that we continue to build on the tremendous legacy of Paul Goebel and the foundation of success he has built at Memphis.
"Chris brings an unmatched level of familiarity with our program, appreciation for our culture, and the ability to push Tiger Tennis even further. I think I speak for the entire team when I say we could not be more excited to see Chris return to Memphis and lead our program."
Before his initial stint in the Bluff City, Doerr spent one season as a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater Mississippi State (2010-11) where they went 14-9 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs were the SEC Western Division champions and finished the season ranked No. 20 in the nation.
Doerr was a four-year letter winner for the Bulldogs and was named SEC Player of the Week once as a junior.
A product of Bromley, England, Doerr was ranked as high as No. 11 in the English National Rankings and as high as No. 480 in the ITF Rankings.
In England, he was a member of the state championship team for four years and was a state champion in singles and doubles. He won a divisional title as the captain for the state team.
Doerr graduated from Mississippi State in 2010 with a degree in communications. He and his wife, Rachel McLemore Doerr, married in August of 2012. The couple have two children – Leighton and Archie – and a dog named Lily.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tiger Men's Tennis, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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