Oklahoma Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Programs and Athletics Director Joe Castiglione has announced the hiring of John Roddick as OU's new head men's tennis coach.

Roddick is a former professional tennis player and coach. Most recently he was director of Roddick Total Tennis, a high-performance boarding academy in San Antonio and Austin, Texas, which he operated from 2002-09.

Also during that time, from 2006-08, he coached his brother, Andy, a former No. 1-ranked player in the world, on the ATP Tour. In 2006 and again in 2008, John was the Team Captain for the United States' World Team Cup squad.

"It is rare to find someone with a background as impressive and varied as the one that John brings to Oklahoma," Castiglione said. "He has been a fixture in the national junior program, has experience in two successful Division I programs, has coached the game at the highest level in the world and was an accomplished player in his own right.  

"We are impressed that John not only has the ability to recruit good players to our program, but also a reputation for player development. It takes both of those qualities to build a strong program and we believe in John's ability to build a high-caliber program at OU."

Roddick's Division I experience came as an assistant coach at Florida State for the 1999-00 school year and then at his alma mater, Georgia, from 2000-02. Georgia dominated college tennis during that time and won the 2001 NCAA team title. The Bulldogs also reached the 2002 NCAA Championships final.

Born in Omaha, Neb., Roddick was a world-class player. He was a four-time All American at Georgia from 1995-1999 and was named UGA Athlete of the Year in 1998. Also at Georgia, he was a three-time SEC All-Academic selection.

A top U.S. junior, he was a member of the 1993 and 1994 National Teams. He was ranked as high as No. 6 internationally in singles and No. 3 internationally in doubles.

Roddick's academy was a hot bed for top talent. Marquee players at the academy included Nate Schnugg and Jamie Hunt, now at Roddick's alma mater Georgia, Kellen Damico at Texas and Uladzimir Ignatic of Belarus, who was the 2007 French Open Junior champ. As a coach, Roddick has worked with top touring pros including his brother, Mardy Fish and Wayne Odesnik.