Chris Russell Retires as Men's Tennis Coach
Johnny Tibbetts Graphic Illustration
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Chris Russell, who served as UNM Men’s Tennis coach for the last three seasons and led UNM to the 2023 Mountain West regular season title, has announced his retirement from coaching.
Over his three seasons, Russell’s teams went 40-29, including 29-16 over the past two seasons. In 2023, the Lobos went 15-6 overall and won the Mountain West regular season title. UNM finished nationally ranked in each of the last two seasons under Russell.
UNM also picked up nine MW Player of the Week awards under Russell to go with 11 Freshman of the Week awards. Alex Maggs last year and third year was named CSC Academic All-America, a first in the program’s long history.
“I’m thankful for Chris and his family and what they have done to maintain the excellence in our men’s tennis program,” said Vice President/Director of Athletics Eddie Nuñez. “His teams have excelled athletically and academically, and we wish him well on his retirement. He and Allison, along with Kylie and Logan have all been great Lobos.”
Russell came to UNM after 17 seasons at the University of Washington where he was Associate Head Coach. Prior to UW, he was a head coach at UC Santa Barbara and Oregon for a total of 14 seasons.
“I wanted to take this opportunity to Thank Eddie Nunez and Ed Manzanares for entrusting me with something so special … The Lobo Tennis Family. It is a remarkable legacy of current and former student-athletes that I was humbled and honored to lead,” said Russell. “I am very grateful they took a chance on me, a coach from outside that circle. I am sad to step away from this team of talented young men, but I am very appreciative of their allowing me to coach them.”
Russell added, “I also wanted to thank assistant coach Sonam Phuntsok for his commitment to what we set out to achieve. We wanted to achieve more. He is one of the best young and upcoming coaches out there and has had a tremendous impact on these young men. Today, I feel tremendous gratitude for being able to spend the last three years at UNM and will always cherish being a Lobo.”
A search for the 20th head coach in the program’s history, a history that dates back to 1908, will begin immediately.
