EASTON, Pa. - Mike Mucci, most recently an assistant coach at Penn State, has been named the new head coach of the Lafayette men's and women's tennis programs.
"We're excited to add Mike to the Lafayette family. He brings a wealth of playing and collegiate coaching experience on various levels," said Lafayette Director of Athletics Sherryta Freeman. "We look forward to him joining us to launch the spring championship season for our tennis program. Additionally, I want to thank Carly Riepenhoff, the tennis sport administrator, for guiding the hiring process."
"We are thrilled to have Mike lead our tennis programs. He came highly recommended by leaders in the collegiate tennis community and his ability to connect with our staff and student-athletes throughout the interview process made him a great fit for Lafayette Athletics," Riepenhoff said. "Mike's passion for student-athlete success, his competitive drive and recruiting expertise will certainly elevate our tennis teams."
Since July 2023, Mucci aided Penn State as the assistant women's tennis coach under Alexandra McIntyre. McIntyre and Mucci guided the Nittany Lions to a 14-10 (5-8 Big Ten) record last season, the program's most wins since 2013, and an ITA ranking high of #33 nationally. At home, the team went 10-2 with a 6-0 mark in non-conference play. A 4-3 victory over No. 14 USC in Happy Valley on March 28, the highest ranked win in at least 20 years for the Blue & White, highlighted the home slate. In 2024, the Nittany Lions tallied six wins, including four in league play (three of which were ranked victories).
"I'm honored to be the next leader of Lafayette tennis. This is a proud institution with a ton of tradition. I'm excited for the challenge of making both of these programs winners in the Patriot League," Mucci said. "I look forward to mentoring our student-athletes on and off the court and I can't thank Carly Riepenhoff and Sherryta Freeman for their support and trust in this process!"
Previously, Mucci served at the helm for Jacksonville State from 2020-23 when he helped the squad to a 31-28 men's record and a 31-31 women's record. He recruited more than 15 impact players, and the men's tennis team was ranked 33rd in the nation (#7 mid major) by Tennis Recruiting Network for its 2023 recruiting class.
For one season, Mucci was the head women's tennis coach at Southern Utah University (2019-20). He recruited multiple 9.0 universal tennis rating players and four key impact players before the school's program was discontinued.
In the prior year, Mucci helped guide Belmont's women's team to the most wins in a season (12) in more than a decade as an assistant. He also helped coach the men's doubles team of Marko Ilic and Hendrik Inno to the Round of 16 in the NCAA Championships and to a No. 8 national ranking by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
Before coaching the Bruins, Mucci functioned as the assistant men's tennis coach at the University of Delaware from 2017-18. The Blue Hens were able to accomplish a 17-8 record, the team's best finish in 44 years. Mucci helped recruit the No. 18 mid-major recruiting class in 2018.
In addition to his on-court experience, he served as a tennis professional at the Village Glen Tennis Club in Williamsville, N.Y. (2016-17) and the head assistant at the Tennis Club of Rochester in Pittsford, N.Y. (2017-18).
Mucci began his coaching career at his alma mater in 2015, working at Niagara University in Niagara Falls, N.Y., where he was the head men's and women's tennis coach for one season.
As a highly-rated junior player in the Buffalo area, Mucci remains third for career singles wins at his high school. Additionally, he earned two ITA scholar-athlete honors, received six Dean's List awards and posted a cumulative grade-point average above a 4.0. He was a member of three honor societies: Delta Epsilon Sigma, Sigma Alpha Sigma and Psi Chi. Mucci graduated with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and minors in Statistics and Gerontology in 2013.
A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Mucci replaces Ralph Van Ormer who resigned in October.
For the latest on the Lafayette College tennis programs, follow the Leopards on Instagram @lafwten/@lafmten and X @goleopards.
