Felix Mann resigns as Sewanee Men's Tennis Coach

SEWANEE, Tenn. – Felix Mann, who has served as Sewanee's men's tennis coach for the last 10 seasons, seven as head coach, has announced his resignation, Director of Athletics John Shackelford announced on Thursday morning.

During his tenure as head coach, Mann compiled a 103-44 record, earned four Southern Athletic Association Coach of the Year honors, and guided the Tigers to five SAA regular season and tournament championships. Under his leadership, Sewanee went undefeated in SAA conference play and made five appearances in the NCAA Championships. The Tigers advanced to the second round in 2019 and 2022, and reached the Round of 16 in both 2023 and 2024. Sewanee will play in their fifth NCAA appearance with the first round set for May 9.

"Felix has been a terrific coach and leader both in our tennis program and throughout the department of athletics," said Shackelford. "He is a great role model for the young men and women in our tennis program and has brought championship-level expectations in every phase of the tennis program. An outstanding recruiter and developer of talent, Felix has taken our tennis program to new heights. Although they will be greatly missed in the Sewanee community, we wish Felix, Ashley, and Mila nothing but the best in their next great adventure."

"After a lot of thought, I've made the difficult decision to step away from coaching and resign from my position at Sewanee," said Mann. "Sewanee has been my home and my life for the past 10 years. It's the place where I met my wife, where my daughter was born, and the place I grew from a 25-year-old kid to who I am today. I will miss the mountain, my boys, and all the memories that came with coaching this team. I'm proud of what we've built and accomplished, and I'm so grateful for the players and friends who've made this journey so special. Though it's time for me to explore a new chapter in life, I'll always carry this program and this mountain with me. Lastly, I want to thank John and Conchie Shackelford for their mentorship and for taking a chance on this kid from Virginia all those years ago. YSR"

Mann won two national championships as a coach. In the fall of 2023, in singles with Jordan Theron and in doubles with Theron and Quinn Wicklund. Wicklund and Theron also reached the finals of the NCAA doubles tournament in 2024. He coached three different players to multiple All-American honors during his tenure: Jordan Brewer (2020 singles), Jordan Theron (6x between singles and doubles), and Quinn Wicklund (3x in doubles).

Mann was named the Wilson ITA Coach of the Year in 2024 for the Atlantic Region and coached two ITA Atlantic Region Players of the Year: Theron (2024) and Jordan Brewer (2020). He also coached two ITA Atlantic Region Most Improved Seniors: Noah Holsclaw (2023) and Brewer (2020). Additionally, he led three student-athletes to SAA Player of the Year: Andres Carro (2019), Theron (2024, 2025), and three SAA Newcomers of the Year: Brandon Kali (2019), Wicklund (2022), and Henry Hyden (2024). Prior to being named head coach at Sewanee, Mann was named the ITA National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2018.

In total, Mann has led 37 student-athletes to All-SAA honors, and 76 have garnered SAA Academic Honor Roll accolades (with Spring 2025 results still pending). He also coached a College Sports Communicators Academic All-America and three CSC Academic All-District honorees.

In every year but one since taking over as head coach, the Tigers have finished ranked in the top 25 nationally, including a top-10 finish in 2023 and a top-15 finish in 2024.

Mann will coach through the conclusion of the NCAA Championships as a national search will begin immediately to identify the 11th head coach in Sewanee men's tennis history.

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Players Mentioned

Henry Hyden: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Jordan Theron: 6' 4"; Senior

Quinn Wicklund: 6' 3"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Henry Hyden
: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Jordan Theron
: 6' 4"; Senior

Quinn Wicklund
: 6' 3"; Senior