FULLERTON, CA – Cal State Fullerton Director of Athletics Jim Donovan has announced the hiring of Ellie Johnson as the new head women’s tennis coach on Thursday, September 12th.
“We are very pleased to have someone as experienced as Ellie take the helm of the Titan Women’s Tennis program,” said Jim Donovan. “With eight years of head coaching experience at the NAIA and NCAA Division II levels, we expect Ellie to transition well into The Big West Conference competition. Ellie’s cheerful personality and enthusiasm shined throughout the national coaching search.”
Johnson is the 12th women’s tennis coach in program history. He comes to Cal State Fullerton after serving as the head coach of the men’s and women’s tennis programs at Concordia University Irvine (2023-24) and six seasons prior to that as the head coach at Westmont (2017-23).
In his only year at the helm at Concordia, the Golden Eagles men’s and women’s tennis teams both finished fourth in the Pac West Conference. The Golden Eagles women’s tennis team advanced to the NCAA DII West Regional tournament, falling 4-3 in a close match against top-ranked Academy of Art University. Concordia’s women’s tennis team finished with an overall record of 16-7 and won 10-1 at home.
Ellie Johnson coached both Sophie Rachor and Tiffany Carrillo to ITA All-America honors. Rachor and Elimilie Lugon-Moulin each won 17 singles matches and both earned First Team All-Pac West honors. Lugon-Moulin was named the ITA DII West Regional Rookie of the Year. On the men’s side, he coached Mattis Le Montagner and Mario Aleksic to All-Conference selections as CUI also set a DII-era program record with 13 wins.
“I am both excited and honored to join Cal State Fullerton as the new women’s tennis coach,” said head coach Ellie Johnson. “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead such talented athletes and am eager to build on the success of my predecessors. Heartfelt thanks to President Rochon, VP David Forgues, AD Jim Donovan, Greg Paules and everyone involved in the selection process. I look forward to contributing to the Titans tennis tradition with great passion and dedication!”
Prior to his time at CUI, Johnson coached the Westmont Warriors to a 46-52 record for six seasons. He was named GSAC Coach of the Year in 2021 after leading the Warriors to the GSAC Tournament semifinals. He also led the Warriors to the second round of the NAIA National Tournament in 2018 and 2019. In 2019, he coached Westmont to the Golden State Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships. The Warriors went 12-0 in the GSAC regular season. He was selected as the 2018 West Region Wilson/ITA coach.
A graduate of Concordia University Irvine, Johnson started for the Eagles for four years. In her senior year, the team won the GSAC championship with Johnson playing singles and No. 1 doubles. Johnson, who was ranked No. 13 nationally in doubles, served as team captain during his junior and senior seasons. Johnson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sports science. After graduation, Johnson earned a master’s degree in coaching and sports administration and served as Concordia’s women’s tennis coach. He has also worked as a tennis teacher at Woodbridge Tennis Academy.
“I want to thank Chairman Greg Paules and the rest of the search committee for a job well done!” said Jim Donovan.
Committee members:
Greg Paules (Chairman)
Mike Stone (CSUF alumnus, donor and former tennis student-athlete)
Jay Darden (Assistant AD, DEI)
Katie Thompson (Athletic Academic Counselor)
Spencer Crellin (Special Events Coordinator)
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