TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler Director of Athletics, Sam Ferguson, announced the hiring of Greg Owen as the new head coach of the Patriots men's and women's tennis programs on Tuesday.

Owen arrives to UT Tyler following nine seasons as the head coach of the men's and women's tennis programs at Southern Arkansas University. During his tenure with the Muleriders, Owen helped establish both programs as consistent conference, regional and national contenders while developing numerous all-conference and nationally ranked student-athletes.

"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Owen to UT Tyler," said Ferguson. "His track record of building championship programs while developing young people through the game of tennis makes him an outstanding fit for our culture. Coach Owen is passionate about impacting lives, committed to excellence, and eager to be a Patriot. I have no doubt he will continue our championship tradition while helping our student-athletes grow as leaders on and off the court. We are excited to welcome Coach Owen, his wife Carisa, and their children, Anna, Claire, and Joey, to Tyler."

"I could not be more excited to be here in Tyler as the Head Men's and Women's Coach," said Owen. "I would like to thank Dr. Philley, Sam Ferguson, and the entire team and family here at UT Tyler for this incredible opportunity."

Owen arrived at Southern Arkansas in December 2017 to lead the men's and women's programs as they prepared to return to competition in 2018. He guided the men's program to six winning seasons, including a pair of 20-win campaigns and three NCAA Division II Championship appearances.

The men's program reached new heights in 2022, posting a 20-6 overall record and defeating 10 nationally ranked opponents enroute to an NCAA Division II National Round of 16 appearance. The Muleriders climbed as high as No. 8 in the ITA national rankings, while six singles players and three doubles pairings earned all-conference recognition.

Owen also made an immediate impact on the women's program, guiding the Muleriders to the Great American Conference Regular Season Championship during the program's first season back on the court in 2018-19. Southern Arkansas finished that season 22-4 overall and 10-0 at home.

Throughout his tenure, Owen led the women's program to four winning seasons, including two 20-win campaigns, multiple GAC regular-season championships and two GAC Tournament titles. Most recently, the Muleriders captured the 2025 GAC Regular Season Championship outright, finishing undefeated in conference play before claiming the GAC Tournament Championship with a 4-2 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma.

Owen takes over the Patriots following historic 2026 seasons for both programs.

The UT Tyler men's tennis team finished the 2026 season with a 22-6 overall record and advanced to the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals, continuing the program's tradition of competing among the nation's top Division II programs.

The Patriot women's tennis team also reached new heights, finishing 20-8 overall and making the first NCAA Division II Championship appearance in program history. UT Tyler advanced to the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals while capturing the Lone Star Conference regular-season championship.

With both programs coming off NCAA Quarterfinal appearances and the women's program adding its first conference regular-season championship, Owen will inherit two teams positioned among the top programs in Division II.

Owen will look to build upon that momentum as he begins his tenure with the Patriots and leads both programs into the 2026-27 season.