FGCU hires Josh Molino as Men’s Tennis Head Coach – FGCU Athletics

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Josh Molino has been named head coach of Florida Gulf Coast University’s men’s tennis program.

“I’m excited to welcome Josh Molino to FGCU as the next leader and coach of our men’s tennis program,” said Colin Hargis, FGCU director of intercollegiate athletics. “Coach Molino has a proven track record as a coach and brings a wealth of experience to our men’s program. His energy and style will be a great fit for the culture of FGCU Athletics.”

Molino’s career has already seen significant success with the University of Tulsa winning the 2024 UTR Sports NIT Championship, two first team All-AAC Selections and an NCAA singles qualifier in Pierce Rollins. In his head coaching stop at Kansas Wesleyan University, Molino won multiple awards including the 2022 Wilson ITA NAIA Central Region Men’s Coach of the Year.

“First off, I want to thank President Aysegul Timur, Athletic Director Colin Hargis and Deputy AD Graham Diemer for the opportunity to lead the men’s tennis program here at FGCU,” Molino said. “I’m extremely honored and excited to be part of such a prestigious university that excels in both academics and athletics. Our men will be models in the community of Southwest Florida, in the classroom at FGCU and on the court representing the Atlantic Sun Conference. Wings Up!”

Molino comes to Southwest Florida after serving as Tulsa’s assistant men’s tennis coach since June 2023. The Golden Hurricane were one of the best mid-major programs in the country last season, consistently placing in the ITA top 25 mid-major rankings.  Molino helped guide Tulsa to the NIT Championship after securing the No. 1 seed in the tournament and only dropping two courts over the three matches that included wins over No. 51 Pacific University and No. 55 Santa Clara University. Molino’s squad also earned wins over No. 31 Princeton University and No. 43 Southern Methodist University.

Prior to his year with Tulsa, Molino got his start in collegiate coaching at Kansas Wesleyan, where he won multiple awards including the 2022 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, 2022 Wilson ITA NAIA Central Region Men’s Coach of the Year, 2021-22 USPTA Missouri Valley Collegiate Coach of the Year and 2019 USTA Missouri Kansas High Performance Coach of the Year.

His leadership in the NAIA tennis ranks extended off the court as a member on the following committees:

•    2023 ITA NAIA Co-Chair of the Operating Committee

•    2023 NAIA Vice-President of the Tennis Executive Committee

•    2023 NAIA KCAC Tennis Sport Chair

•    2022 – 2023 ITA NAIA National Awards Chair

•    2021 – 2022 NAIA ARC-Area Ratings Committee Chair, Central

•    2019 – 2023 ITA NAIA Men’s National Rankings Chair

•    2019 – 2022 NAIA KCAC National Rater

Molino graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in sport and fitness.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT JOSH MOLINO

“We are incredibly proud of him and deeply grateful for his contributions to the Tulsa tennis program. We all wish him well and look forward to crossing paths in the future. What Josh has accomplished in one year is incredible.”

– Vince Westbrook, Associate AD/Director of Tennis/Men’s Head Coach

“Great work by Colin Hargis and Florida Gulf Coast University. They identified a thorough short list and ended up with a great choice in Josh Molino. Coach Molino will be able to leave his footprint and really help the team in the conference and on a national scale with his experience recruiting and help build the right culture and foundation. I look forward to competing against FGCU and watching them the next few seasons.”

– Grant Chen, Head Coach/Asst. A.D./Coach Representative at SMU