Randolph School is proud to announce Matt Holaday as the new Head Coach of the Raiders Varsity Tennis program.

"We are excited to welcome Coach Holaday to our Raider coaching family as our new Varsity Tennis Head Coach," says Director of Athletics, Mike Morris. "His passion for tennis and mentoring young people are the cornerstones of his approach in leading these programs. We are excited to see the future of Randolph Tennis."

Holaday brings decades of playing and coaching experience to the Raiders, including stints as Tennis Director at Camp Taconic in Hinsdale, Massachusetts, Tennis Coach at The Dwight School in New York, NY, and Head Tennis Coach at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (1994-1996 and 2000-2002). He spent nearly three decades as a teacher and coach with Guntersville City Schools and also was the Head Coach at Snead State Community College. Most recently, Holaday served as Head Varsity Tennis Coach at KDS DAR High School. He played collegiately at Jacksonville State University.

For Holaday, the opportunity to join Randolph carries deep personal meaning.
"It's such an honor and privilege to become a part of such a fine and respected school as Randolph," Holaday said. "I hope my mom and her mom are looking down and see that this is happening. The year I was born was 1959 and right down Randolph Street from my grandmother's house, a school was born also. Over the years they both spoke so highly of the place. My mother mentioned a number of times that I should maybe work there."

That connection runs even deeper through Randolph tennis legends Holaday has crossed paths with over the years.

Holaday's coaching philosophy is rooted in a lesson he carried with him since his own playing days.
"My philosophy on playing, coaching or living in general is quite simple. My coach Steve Bailey at JSU said something to me after I got my clock cleaned by Ohio State in the first round of the Crimson Tide Classic. He said to me afterward 'There's a difference between focusing on winning and worrying about getting beat.' If we stay focused on what it takes to get the job done correctly, we can expect to have the most success at whatever the task is before us," Holaday said. "Trying to focus on glorifying God in all our endeavors is what I have learned is the best way to achieve success. My vision and expectations are to help our student/athletes at Randolph do just that."

For students considering joining the program, Holaday's message is simple.

"I encourage anyone who feels led to be a part of an already blessed and successful sport at Randolph, to get pumped and bring it!" Holaday said. "I'll give you my best. That's all I'll ask from you. See you at the courts."

More details to come regarding a Meet & Greet with Coach Holaday in the coming days!