FERRUM, Va. -- Director of Athletics Cleive Adams has announced the hiring of Jose M. Rincon as Head Tennis Coach at Ferrum College. Rincon succeeds Noah Hughes, who left Ferrum this past summer after a year at the helm of the Panther men's and women's tennis programs to return to his alma mater, Bridgewater College, as Head Tennis Coach. 

Rincon comes to Ferrum from Hidden Valley Country Club in Salem, Virginia, where he is the Head Tennis Professional. This is his second college coaching stint, including 2021-22 as a volunteer assistant coach at Eastern Florida State College, an NJCAA school located in Melbourne, Florida.

"We are very excited about Coach Rincon joining the Ferrum College athletic family," said Adams. "He brings great enthusiasm and resources to our men's women's tennis programs. His commitment to the tennis profession and mentor leadership will be a great addition to our department."

From 2012-22, Rincon was Director of Tennis  at Magnolia Tennis Club in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. He also has worked as a Coach Developer with the Racquet Sports Professional Association (RSPA) since 2021. From 1999-2011, he served as Director of Tennis at Club Med Sandpiper-Team Scandinavian, a Japanese Tennis Academy. 

Rincon was Strength & Conditioning Coach for Mary Pierce, who was at one point while the two worked together ranked #3 in the world and won a grand slam title at the 1995 Australian Open. Rincon also served from 1992-95 at the prestigious Nick Bollettiero Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida. 

Rincon played two years at North Greenville College, helping his team the 1987 NJCAA national title. He then played two years at NCAA Div. II South Carolina Spartanburg, where he was nationally ranked. He would eventually earn his Bachelor of Science from University of South Carolina Upstate in 1991.

Rincon is married to Helena Castillo, a teacher at William Fleming High School in Roanoke, Virginia. He began at Ferrum officially on September 9. He will coach the men's and women's teams.