Andrew Thomson '10 has been named the head coach of the men's tennis program. He takes over for Bob Hansen, who announced his intent to move into an associate head coach role in January.
"We are excited about the opportunities created by this transition," said Director of Athletics Erin Quinn. "It is gratifying to be able to recognize the effort and ability Andrew has demonstrated as an assistant coach by promoting him to head coach. We are extremely fortunate to be retaining one of the top, if not the top, tennis coaches in the country in Bob Hansen in a significant role as associate head coach. This transition allows us to acknowledge the contributions of both coaches while keeping together an incredible coaching partnership."

Thomson joined the staff in the summer of 2017 as the assistant coach. A 2010 graduate of Middlebury, he returned to Vermont after one year at UNC Charlotte, where he was an assistant coach. The West Bloomfield, Michigan, native graduated from Middlebury with a degree in economics and psychology.

"Returning to Middlebury as a coach has been a special experience for me on many levels, and I am particularly honored to be working alongside an incredible mentor in Bob," said Thomson. "His incredible experience has helped make me a better coach, and I look forward to continuing to have him on our staff."

Thomson helped guide the Panthers to the 2018 NCAA Championship and the program's ninth NESCAC Championship last spring.

Prior to returning to Middlebury, Andrew spent six seasons as an assistant college coach while simultaneously earning his PhD in positive developmental psychology in 2017 from Claremont Graduate University.

He enjoyed a stellar four-year playing career as a Panther. In 2010, he played an integral role in helping the program capture its second NCAA Championship. He was a four-time NCAA Doubles All-American with four different partners and was voted team captain for his junior and senior seasons. In 2007 and 2009, Thomson won ITA fall doubles national championships with Filip Marinkovic '08 and Andrew Lee '10.

"Bob has shaped an incredibly strong and supportive team culture for Middlebury men's tennis and has clearly sustained and built upon a tradition of excellence for the program. Working together with someone with such an unparalleled record of success has been special, and I am so fortunate that our run together will continue."

Hansen finished his ninth as the head coach of the program this past season. He came to Middlebury from the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he served as the head men's coach for 30 years.
In his first eight seasons at Middlebury, he continued a postseason tradition, with the team advancing into the NCAA Tournament each year. The Panthers have made six trips to the national semifinals, capturing the NCAA Championship for the third time in 2018, with a single-season record 25 wins (25-4). Middlebury has also won three NESCAC titles under the veteran coach, advancing to the title match six times. Hansen has an overall record of 162-39 at Middlebury over eight seasons.

The creator of the UCSC tennis program, Hansen led that team to seven NCAA Championships (1989, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2007, 2009) and appearances in the championship match 13 of 24 years.
 "I could not be more pleased or proud to continue to work with Andrew in his new capacity to sustain and enhance the amazing team culture," added Hansen. "Andrew brings an incredibly rich and diverse skill set to our shared work, which is rewarding and enjoyable for me and positively supports the growth and development of our student-athletes in strong and compelling ways."