Auburn women’s tennis is adding an assistant coach who knows the Plains like no other and is one of the greatest players in program history.
Head coach Jordan Szabo announced in a release on Monday morning that DJ Bennett will join the staff alongside him and associate head coach Pete Francis for the upcoming season.
“What a great day for Auburn women’s tennis,” Szabo said. “The most decorated player in program history joining the coaching staff is incredible, and I am so excited to work alongside DJ.”
Bennett is taking on a coaching role following an extremely impressive four years as a player at Auburn, during which she became just the second player in program history to reach the NCAA Singles Championship final in 2024 and the first Tiger to reach No. 1 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Singles Rankings this past season.
In addition to her recent successes, she has earned four ITA All-America selections and three All-SEC selections throughout her time on the Plains. Starting frequently at the top of the singles and doubles lineups in her junior and senior years, Bennett finished her collegiate career with a record of 95-46 in singles and 89-39 in doubles. Her 184 combined wins rank fourth in program history.
Her coaches had nothing but great things to say while she was a player, and that has not changed since the announcement.
“DJ has a passion for helping people,” Szabo said. “She is as competitive as they come and has lived what college athletics is all about, from taking an opportunity and hoping for a scholarship to becoming No. 1 in the nation and winning championships.”
Bennett seems to feel the same excitement about pursuing a different role within an organization she knows and loves.
“It is an honor to receive the opportunity to be the next assistant coach at Auburn,” Bennett said. “Auburn has meant so much to me during my time as a student-athlete, so being able to give back to the place that gave me the chance to pursue my dreams is very special. Jordan and Pete have been great mentors to me in my career, so being able to coach alongside them will be a perfect fit for me. I am looking forward to helping lead this program and develop our student-athletes both on and off the court.”
Just a few months after the Tigers capped off a historic campaign with an appearance in the NCAA Championship Final in May, Bennett is set to make her coaching debut this fall when Auburn kicks off its 2026-27 season.
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