Rollins College Men's Tennis

Head coach since: 2021-22 Rollins record: 44-19 (through spring 2024) NCAA Tournament Appearances: 2 (2023, 2024) SSC Coach of the Year: 2024 ITA South Region Coach of the Year: 2024 Tommy Awards - Coach of the Year: 2024 Jay Friedman took over as the Men’s Tennis Head Coach prior to the 2021-22 school year.   Since coming to Winter Park, he has transformed the Tars tennis program, helping Rollins to a pair of NCAA tournament appearances. In 2023, Efe Comu and Luke Quaynor earned 1st Team Doubles All-American status, as well as 1st Team All-SSC. In 2024, five Tars made their way on to the All-SSC teams, while Friedman was named SSC Coach of the Year. He led Rollins to a 20-3 record in 2024, their most wins in a season since 2004. That helped him take home the ITA South Region Coach of the Year award as well.  Jay joined the Tars after serving as the assistant coach at Brown University for four years.  In his first season with the Bears, he led the team to their first winning season since 2014-15, as the team posted a 16-10 record.  Friedman coached All-Ivy League honorees in both 2017-18 and 2018-19.  The Brown program started the 2019-20 campaign with six consecutive wins before the season was suspended.   Prior to Brown, Friedman spent time at Washington and Lee where he helped the Generals to a perfect 10-0 conference record, an Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship, and a NCAA Tournament appearance. His first Division I coaching job came at Stony Brook University in New York. During Friedman's tenure (2010-2014), the Seawolves captured three America East Conference Championships, had the school's first-ever nationally ranked singles player, received four coaching staff of the year awards, and had two nationally recognized recruiting classes. In addition, Friedman was named the ITA Northeast Regional Assistant Coach of the Year.    Friedman’s first coaching job came at Allegheny College where he worked with both the men’s and women’s teams.  Previously, he has also founded and worked as the Head Training Consultant at ChampionMade, served as the Strength and Tennis Coach at the Claremont Club in Claremont, California, and the Director of Tennis at Bayport-Bluepoint Community Tennis Association. In 11 years as a collegiate tennis coach prior to coming to Winter Park, Jay has guided six conference championships teams, three nationally ranked teams, and reached six NCAA Tournaments, including one Sweet 16.  Under his tutelage 11 players have earned national rankings, 33 players have received All-Conference selections, one has been named All-American, and over 30 have been recognized as ITA Scholar-Athletes.  Jay was part of three America East Coaching Staffs of the Year, and was honored as the ITA Northeast Region Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year.   Friedman also served as a graduate assistant at the University of South Florida, while earning his Master’s Degree in Exercise Science.  During his time in Tampa, the Bulls reached their highest ever national ranking, peaking at No. 13, captured a pair of American Athletic Conferences, and advanced as far as the Round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament. Jay earned his Bachelor’s Degree from George Mason, where he was also a four year member of the Patriots’ tennis team.  He served as a team captain and was named an ITA Academic Scholar Athlete.  

Team Manager Since 2023-24 Eltavious Johnson joined the Rollins Men’s Tennis team in the summer of 2023.  A native of The Bahamas, Johnson is a rising junior double majoring in Communications and Music with a minor in Political Science. He has had a vibrant broadcasting career in The Bahamas, and spends his free time hosting shows at the WPRK radio booth on campus. Johnson joined the team during what has been the greatest season for the Tars in two decades, actively attending matches, gym sessions, and practices. Johnson is responsible for launching engaging social media campaigns on Facebook and Instagram, handling photography and videography, hosting and announcing lineups, and assisting with team logistics and travel where necessary. He has accompanied the Tars to an NCAA tournament appearance, contributed to a 20-3 season record, and witnessed several awards being given to both players and athletes throughout the year. Beyond his contributions to the tennis team, Johnson is deeply involved in the greater Rollins community. He currently serves as the Vice-President of the Student Government Association, advocating for the needs of the student body. Most notably, he was recently named the sole student on a 19-person 2024 Presidential Search Committee, tasked with interviewing, vetting, and selecting the 16th President of Rollins College.