Roger Follmer, the 2006 ITA/Wilson Division III National Coach of the Year, has established Washington University in St. Louis as one of the premier tennis programs in all of Division III.

Follmer has mentored 14 All-Americans to date–Brian Alvo (2002, 2004), Charlie Cutler (2006, 2007), Chris Hoeland (2007), Neil Kenner (2003), Ari Rosenthal (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006) and John Watts (2007) – in seven seasons as head coach of the Bears.

Watts, who placed second at the NCAA Singles Championships in 2007, captured Washington University’s first individual men’s tennis national championship by winning the 2007 Division III Wilson/ITA National Small College Singles Championship.

The team advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals in 2003, 2004, and most recently in 2007. In addition, Kenner and Rosenthal advanced to the semifinals of the doubles championship in 2003.

The 2007 season was a banner year for Follmer and the Bears as Washington University posted a school-record 20-5 overall mark and appeared in the NCAA quarterfinals for the fourth time in school history. The Bears, who were ranked No. 7 in the final Division III poll, also hosted the NCAA Division III Championships at Dwight Davis Tennis Center.

In 2005-06, Follmer guided the Bears to an 18-3 overall mark and a second-place finish at the UAA Championship. The 18 wins were the second most in school history.

Off the court, Follmer’s players have also been getting the job done in the classroom. For the 2006-07 school year, the Bears boasted a 3.39 team grade-point average to earn 2007 ITA All-Academic Team honors.

Follmer, who has posted a 92-36 (.719) overall record at Washington U., arrived on the Danforth Campus from the United States Naval Academy, where he served as the men’s tennis assistant coach for two seasons. During his tenure in Annapolis, he helped guide the Midshipmen to a pair of 18-11 seasons and back-to-back appearances in the Patriot League Tournament final. Navy also earned its first national team ranking in February 2000.

Prior to his work at the Naval Academy, Follmer spent three seasons as the assistant coach at Purdue University. Working with 1996 Big Ten Coach of the Year Tim Madden, Follmer helped bring the Boilermakers from last place in the Big Ten to a No. 38 national ranking and an appearance in the final of the 1999 Big Ten Championship.

A 1991 graduate of Lindbergh High School in St. Louis, Follmer was a two-year tennis letterman and senior captain at Purdue University. He graduated in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and audiology and earned his master’s degree in special education, also from Purdue, in 1999.

Quick Facts About Follmer

Years at WU: Seven (92-36, .719)

Previous Coaching Experience:
1999-2001: Served as the assistant men's tennis coach at the United States Naval Academy. Under his tutelage, the Midshipmen earned their first-ever national team ranking in February of 2000 and posted back-to-back 18-win seasons.
1996-99: Assistant coach at Purdue University. He helped bring the Boilermakers from last in the Big Ten to a No. 38 national ranking and an appearance in the finals of the 1999 Big Ten Championships

College Career:
Lettered two years at Purdue University, serving as team captain his senior season.

Education:
Graduated with a bachelor's degree in speech pathology and audiology from Purdue University, 1996. Earned his Master's degree in Special Education from Purdue, 1999.

Honors:
Wilson/ITA Division III National Coach of the Year, 2006
Wilson/ITA Division III Regional Coach of the Year, 2006

Family:
Single

Year-by-Year with Roger Follmer