Former VCU men’s tennis head coach Anthony Rossi replaces Mat Cloer – The Independent Florida Alligator

Former VCU men’s tennis head coach Anthony Rossi will join the Gators’ roster as the associate head coach next season replacing Mat Cloer. Cloer accepted a position with the USTA and will be stepping down from his position. 

Rossi climbed his way up from assistant coach of the VCU men’s tennis program to head coach after one year. In his time as head coach, he compiled a 79-31 record and led VCU to five conference titles. 

“We are very excited about Anthony Rossi joining the Gator family,” Florida men’s tennis head coach Adam Steinberg said. “From his outstanding playing background in the SEC, to an exemplary career as head coach of the VCU Rams that included recruiting, player development and a building a team-first culture with a high level of integrity, we are so fortunate to bring a coach of Anthony’s caliber to Gainesville.”

In the 2024 season, Rossi led the Rams to their fifth-consecutive championship without one single dual match point drop. VCU junior Mathis Bondaz improved to a No. 57 ranking with the ITA and was named the conference’s most outstanding performer under Rossi’s coaching. 

“Florida is one of the premier athletic departments in the country, and the tennis program is rich in history and tradition,” Rossi said. “I can’t wait to work with and learn from Adam [Steinberg] every day, and to support an incredible group of student athletes.”

Contact Krisha at ksanghavi@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter at @krishasang.