JACKSON, Miss. | Jackson University Vice President/Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson and the Division of Athletics announced the hiring of Stas Smirnov as the new head coach of the men's and women's tennis programs this week.

"We are excited to add Stas to our coaching staff to head our tennis programs," Robinson said. "Anytime you have to replace a championship coach it is hard, but Stas has been at the championship level during his career - both as a player and a coach - and we look for him to continue to build on the tradition of Jackson State tennis. This is a great time for our tennis programs as both teams compete for conference titles in 2026."

Smirnov comes to Jackson State after a two-year stint at Southwestern Athletic Conference foe Alcorn State where he led the Braves to top-tier finishes during his time at the helm of program. Before his time at Alcorn State, he served five years as an assistant at New Mexico State where he helped the program reach new heights. He helped lead the program to a Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Regular Season Championship during the 2020-21 campaign. With Smirnov on staff, the Aggie men put forth two First Team All-WAC honorees and six Second Team All-WAC honorees in singles actions. In doubles play, three Aggie duos were named Second Team All-WAC. Additionally, one Aggie was named WAC Honorable Mention in Smirnov's first season with the men's program.

Smirnov played tennis at the University of the Southwest for two seasons (2016-18). The Ukrainian native served as a volunteer assistant tennis coach at Hobbs High School during the 2016 season. As a junior, Smirnov advanced to the quarterfinals at the ITA Central Regional Tournament in both singles and doubles and wrapped up the season ranked No. 13 in the ITA Central Region singles rankings. He spent his first two seasons at Tennessee Tech (2014-15) and helped guide the Golden Eagles to an Ohio Valley Conference Regular-Season Championship as a freshman.

A stout athlete in the classroom as well, Smirnov earned academic honors all four years both at Tennessee Tech and at the University of the Southwest.

Prior to his time in the states, Smirnov was the top-ranked player in the Ukrainian National Rankings for three-straight years – once at the U16 level and twice at the U18 level. He was also the 2013 Ukrainian National Champion in doubles and mixed doubles at the U18 level and a training camp invitee for the 2014 Ukrainian Davis Cup Team.

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