GREENSBORO, N.C. – Richard Akande has been promoted to head coach of the North Carolina A&T State men’s and women’s tennis programs, athletics director Earl M. Hilton III announced on Monday.

“I am excited to be here as the new head coach at A&T,” Akande stated. “We have young teams but we are ready to work hard and turn our season around next year.”

Akande joined the Aggies in 2014 and led the men’s team into their first spring competition since 2006. In 2016 he will try to lead the women’s program back to its first MEAC tournament since 2009.

More than 300 youth tennis players in Greensboro have benefited from Akande’s tutelage. Akande has conducted the Richard Akande Tennis Academy for more than 20 years. In that role, he taught private and group lessons, camps and clinics for adults and youth. He also provided complementary tennis lessons for underprivileged children.

Akande has also been a travel coach for players competing in national tournaments and he supervised United States Tennis Association members in tennis fundamentals and league plays. During his career, Akande has also served as the tennis director at Greensboro locations such as Friendly Acres, Hester Park (2008-12) and West RidgeTennis Club (2000-06). Akande has coached 75 players who eventually earned Division I tennis scholarships.

As a player, he was the No. 1 African prospect in 1976 and was recognized by Arthur Ashe and Stan Smith. He was once ranked 350th in the world. Akande played college tennis at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La. He earned his B.S., degree from Louisiana State University.  

"We look forward to coach Akande really make an impact with our tennis programs," said Hilton. "He is going to be a relentless recruiter, he will stress academics and he truly wants to build a winner here at North Carolina A&T."