The UTR Pro Tennis Tour Podcast with James McKie

This was a long one, but a great one. Michael has built a top 16 program this year by UTR! Great conversation highlighting his team but also a real conversation about college tennis as a whole. Appreciated Michael's honesty in this episode relating to family and why he coaches college tennis. Baylor has also been a tremendous long term partner and host of the UTR Sports PTT. We look forward to...

Auburn are fresh off tying their most wins in SEC history! Trey has been the Head Coach at 2 schools prior to joining Auburn and is working with Head Coach, Bobby Reynolds! We talked roster limits, recruiting, relationships and how they run the program. Also, looking forward to bringing the first ever UTR PTT event to Auburn next summer!

Trying to win a National Championship? You should probably listen to this one. Tony highlights three main areas which have helped his squad cross the finish line in May. Only one team per gender can win the last match of the season, Tony has done it twice. Also covered topics in regards to how he combined pro and college into his program as they host multiple pro events from PTT to ATP. Want to be...

Jimmy has led the Blue Raiders for the last 15 years to a SIX-PEAT. Yes, 6 conference titles in a row. Tune in and find out how he does it. Excellent recruiter and recent PTT host at an amazing $9 million tennis facility at MTSU. Jimmy has raised millions of dollars for MTSU and is winning on and off the court! We also talk importance of UTR, mindset in recruiting and the transfer portal.

The first 2nd assistant to join the show! Did you know the NCAA will pay $303 million to all volunteer coaches from 2019-2023? Volunteer title no longer exists. Max Koller is an outstanding coach for the Florida Gators. We talked everything from why his guys play PTT events to a plan in recruiting to the great Tennessee / Florida rivalry. College tennis needs rivalries! Tune in!

Really good insight into who Grant is as a person, mentor and coach. He is trying to think outside the box to grow college tennis and get his community involved within the program at SMU. Was heavily involved throughout the career of Pete Sampras and was also the Associate Head Men's tennis coach at UCLA. He also has amazing advice for all recruits out there when choosing and researching the s...

How hard it is becoming for mid-majors to compete at the highest level? Dom has led the Monarchs to multiple conference championships and NCAA tournaments. We talk NIL, recruiting and who he is as coach! ODU has history of player development. Tune in and learn more about the program.

Former colleague and great friend. Alison has been coaching for nearly 25 years and has led the Lady Vols for the last 10. What was the difference in making the Final 4? Belief! Great conversation about the importance of relationships and culture within her program. Tennessee is also huge partner of UTR and host multiple PTT events per year. Find out why and tune in!

The number 1 team in the nation by UTR Power 6! Is this the year The Cardinal bring it home? Stanford has an amazing team this year with exceptional talent! Some great stories on this one. We talk everything from expectations to his own playing career to spending time with Roger Federer. Tune in!

Mark Booras took over Tulane mens tennis right after Hurricane Katrina. He had to start over and re-build a program! Since then, the Green Wave have won championships, produced multiple All-Americans and become one of the best mid-majors in college tennis. Also, and more importantly, Mark recently underwent heart transplant surgery. A true leader in our sport who does this the right way!

The Auburn Tigers are currently the #1 team in the country by UTR Power 6. Jordan Szabo has built a powerhouse on the Plains. This was a great and honest conversation discussing everything from scholarships to NIL to shortening the fall! The coaches need a break, too! Should there be a recruiting calendar? Also the importance of PTT in the development for their players.

Bryan is now Director of Tennis & Head Women's Tennis Coach at UCF. He has taken a program from the bottom to winning the Big 12 conference. Is there a secret to rebuilding a program? He is a big believer in finding the right player for his program, on and off the court. UCF tennis is on the rise! They also compete in numerous PTT events throughout the year and hope one day to bring one to...

Andrew has transitioned from Asst. Coach at a P4 school to Head Coach at a Mid-Major. He has just led Georgia Southern to the best season in school history. Tune in and learn what he looks for in recruiting, how he leads this program and what the next steps are for the Eagles! He also is a huge believer in the system of PTT for his players.

This man deserves some credit! From playing 3 doubles at Tennessee to top 50 in the WORLD! Mark has worked his tail off to get to a career high of 50 ATP and has competed in all 4 Grand Slams. What is his advice for players like him? Tune in to find out what life is like on the pro tour for doubles players. Good things happen to good people!

Trying to rebuild a program? Then this is a must listen! Clancy has rebuilt two programs from the ground up to compete for championships. Culture and competition very important to the DNA of his coaching philosophy. Can Arizona take the next step and make the Elite 8? I think so!

Listen to one of the greatest Japanese college tennis players of all time. Will he and other players get a 5th year? Can you imagine having to play college tennis at the highest level whilst learning a new language? Shunsuke had one piece of advice for up and coming players --- "Just SHOW UP every day!" Great player and truly a great person. Watch out for Mr. Mitsui in the future!

Want to hear strength and toughness? Ema had two children, then decided to give pro tennis another shot at the age of 30. This is not easy but she is going for it. Tune in and listen to her story as she travels the world trying to get to the top of the game. She also re-started her pro career playing PTT events!!

A true legend of our sport. Steve won Grand Slams as a player and has been the Head Coach for the Aggies since 06'. Two of his former players, who are first cousins, also just reached the final of the Shanghai Masters 1000. Tune in and listen to the raw emotions of what that must have felt like and how he incorporates pro tennis into his program in College Station.

Want to know what it's like to play tennis and go to one of the best Universities in the world? Penn is a top 5 school in the country and is a member of the prestigious Ivy League Conference. Listen to Coach Bonfiglio on how he runs the program and what type of players he is looking for. He is also a big believer of the PTT system allowing his guys to COMPETE and increase their match count.

Fresh off his first Grand Slam appearance at Wimbledon, the second player guest is featuring British player, Hamish Stewart. Learn what the lower level of professional tennis is actually like and how players how are barely scraping by financially. What is the next step for Hamish? Can he make a push for top 100ATP? I believe so!

If you are a coach or player trying to improve your knowledge on the doubles court, then this episode is for you. Alan has assisted in coaching Jamie Murray to No. 1 in the world and has been around the highest level of professional tennis for many years. This will truly give you an insight into what it takes to be a fantastic doubles player. Training is specific and the margins are very small!

Truly amazing to hear how Manny prepared his team to win championships. Relationships! Manny and UGA won 4 national championships and 29 SEC titles. Want to know how to actually cross the finish the finish line and win the big trophy in May? Tune in! He is also a huge UTR fan too ;)

All college coaches must listen to this. In a period of uncertainty for non revenue sports, listen to Chase Hodges, Senior Vice president at UTR Sports, and see how easy it is to work with us to generate revenue for your program. It is simple, we are creative and it is so important!

Fresh off a National Championship, Drake Bernstein joins me for a great discussion. The Dawgs enjoy the ride! They fully embrace having fun amongst the hard work. Tune in and listen to how Drake and the Georgia Bulldogs recruit, practice and operate on a daily basis. Amazing host of PTT events too!

One of the best tennis minds in the game. DT has coached at the highest level of pro tennis, college tennis and is now the Head Coach for the Cowboys. Great stories, expectations for the season and what he TRULY looks for in recruits that consider going to Stillwater. Tuning in from a recruiting trip in Europe!