Mississippi State Men's Tennis Selects Matt Roberts to Replace Per Nillson

Mississippi State Men's Tennis Assistant Coach Matt Roberts has been selected to take the head coach position vacated when Per Nillson left to take over the women's program at Pepperdine according an announcement by Scott Stricklin Saturday.

Roberts, who served the two previous seasons as an assistant coach at Mississippi State, has helped guide the program to back-to-back NCAA appearances, including a trip to the Round of 16 in 2013.

Roberts, who picked up 2014 ITA Southern Region Assistant Coach of the Year honors, came to Starkville after spending three seasons as an assistant at Michigan State.  Prior to his time in East Lansing, he worked as a volunteer assistant at the Arkansas-Little Rock in 2008. Outside of coaching at the collegiate level, Roberts held positions as tennis pro at Prouts Neck Country Club in Scarborough, Maine, from 2007-2009 and at  Wal-Mart Fitness Center in Little Rock in 2006.

Roberts played tennis in the SEC, helping the Arkansas Razorbacks finish in the top-25 during each of his four seasons, three of which he served as team captain. He also picked up All-SEC honors for his play during his junior and senior seasons.

Roberts also spent time on the ATP Tour, achieving a career high singles ranking of No. 517 and doubles ranking of No. 522.  In his career, he captured one single title and four doubles titles at the futures level.