Men's Tennis
- Title:
- Director of Tennis
Matt Knoll resigned as Baylor men's tennis head coach after leading the program for 22 seasons on May 13, 2018. A 2008 Baylor Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, Knoll was the Bears' head coach since their first season of Big 12 Conference competition in 1997.
From 1998 through 2015, Baylor went 105-13 in Big 12 Conference play and didn't have more than two losses in any of those 18 seasons.
Knoll amassed a 510-150 record as Baylor's Director of Men's Tennis. His teams captured 13 Big 12 Conference regular season titles, including eight consecutive from 2002 through 2009, and they added eight Big 12 Tournament championships.
Knoll brought Baylor University its first team national championship when he led the Bears to a 4-0 sweep of UCLA in the 2004 National Championship title match. He also guided BU to the 2005 National Team Indoor Championship and four additional runs to the NCAA semifinals, including a runner-up finish in 2005.
A three-time National Coach of the Year, Knoll was also honored as Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year six times. His teams finished seasons ranked top-four nationally six times and top-10 nationally in 13 of 22 years. Baylor joined UCLA as the nation's only programs ranked top-10 in the final national rankings every year from 2002 through 2011.
Knoll's teams advanced to the national semifinals in four consecutive seasons from 2004 through 2007, posting a combined 118-14 mark in that stretch.
Knoll took over as Baylor head coach on Aug. 1, 1996, following a season in which the Bears went 7-14 and did not win a conference match. It took only two seasons for Knoll to get BU into the NCAA Tournament after recording a 7-2 conference mark to finish as Big 12 runner-up in 1998.
Baylor made its first NCAA quarterfinals appearance in 1999 and returned to the quarterfinals in 2003 before breaking through with its first semifinals appearance in 2004 on its way to becoming NCAA champions. That sparked a run of nine consecutive NCAA quarterfinals appearances, including four trips to the semifinals and two times in the title match.
The Bears went 8-0 in league play to claim their first Big 12 title in 2000, starting a decade of dominance with nine Big 12 regular season championships and seven Big 12 Tournament titles from 2000 through 2009.
All told, Knoll compiled a 56-20 record in NCAA Championship play, including 19-2 in first round matches and 17-2 in second round action. His 510 career victories in 22 seasons were more than double the 202 total wins compiled in the program's first 27 years prior to his arrival.
CONTINUED DOMINANCE
Following the 2004 championship many critics believed the program could not continue its winning ways, but since the title season Knoll’s teams continued to produce tremendous results on the court.
In Knoll's final season, the 2018 Bears advanced to the team's 21st consecutive NCAA Tournament and advanced to the second round at the College Station Regional. With no seniors on the roster and three freshmen in the lineup, Baylor upset fourth-seeded Oklahoma State and top-seeded TCU in the Big 12 Championship and advanced to the team's 15th championship final appearance. Five Bears earned all-tournament honors, and four earned All-Big 12 recognition.
In 2017, Knoll guided Baylor to a season-high No. 3 ranking after starting out the season at No. 22 and saw the Bears advance to the round of 16 for the 17th time in the last 19 seasons. With only one senior in the main lineup, Knoll directed the Bears to a 23-8 season and impressive 19-4 non-conference record, which included 10 wins over ranked opponents. After an early exit in the Big 12 Championship quarterfinals for the first time since Knoll’s first year in Waco, the Bears earned the No. 7 overall seed in the NCAA Championship and hosted the first and second rounds for the 13th time in program history. Individually, Juan Benitez became just the third player at Baylor to record ITA All-America honors in both singles and doubles during the NCAA Championship. Knoll also saw Johannes Schretter record a solid 21-4 singles record. Awarded for his work in the classroom, Jimmy Bendeck earned the program’s first NCAA Elite 90 Award for owning the highest GPA at the final site in Athens, Ga.
In 2016, Knoll directed the Bears back to the NCAA Championships for the 19th-straight year despite losing three seniors from the 2015 squad and numerous injuries. The Bears went on to upset No. 22 Florida State in the first round before falling to seventh-ranked Georgia to end the year at 16-14 in the second round and ranked No. 32. BU also recorded an upset over No. 15 Oklahoma State to reach the semifinals of the Big 12 Championship for the 19th time in 20 years. Baylor went 1-4 in Big 12 regular season play, downing 17th-ranked Texas for the ninth time in 10 meetings. Individually, Julian Lenz closed a historic four-year career under Knoll with a 26-6 record in singles in the first round of the NCAA Singles Championship to end his time in Waco at No. 6 in career singles wins at
Baylor. He earned All-American singles honors for a third-straight year, becoming the fourth Knoll pupil to accomplish that feat.
In 2015, Knoll led the Bears back to the NCAA Championship semifinals for the fifth time in program history. BU ended the year ranked No. 3 in the nation, earning its highest final ranking since being No. 2 at the end of 2005 season. During 2015, Baylor was 25-6 and won the Big 12 regular season crown with a 4-1 victory at No. 16 Texas Tech. Aided by three seniors, Knoll’s crew suffered a season-opening loss to No. 11 Illinois and then went the rest of the season not losing to anyone other than national champion Virginia (4-2 in NCAA semis) or NCAA runner-up Oklahoma (four times). The Bears were 4-1 in Big 12 play and 21-6 against ranked foes. Individually, Knoll guided Diego Galeano and Julian Lenz to the NCAA doubles semifinals to earn All-America accolades and an end-of-the-year ranking of No. 1 - the first No. 1 ranking for any doubles tandem in BU history. Lenz and senior Tony Lupieri also earned singles All-American honors.
In 2014, the Bears racked up their most wins since 2009 under Knoll’s watch, amassing a 26-6 record overall, while advancing back to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time since 2011. Knoll guided BU to a sweep of the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles as the Bears took down No. 3 Oklahoma, 4-3, in the league tournament finale. The Bears were 4-1 in Big 12 play and were 19-6 versus ranked foes. Despite starting season just 7-4, Knoll guided BU to and 11-match win streak in the middle of the season, including upsets at No. 3 UCLA and against No. 6 Illinois. In the NCAA Championships, Baylor blanked No. 12 Illinois, 4-0, in the round of 16, before falling to No. 4 Virginia, 4-0 in the quarterfinals. Individually, Knoll helped sophomore Julian Lenz and senior Patrick Pradella to end-of-the-year singles rankings of No. 4 and No. 18 respectively, with both players earning ITA All-America singles honors. Knoll’s Bears finished the year at No. 6 and as the highest ranked team in Texas.
In 2013, Knoll led the Bears back to another Big 12 regular season title, and the round of 16 of the NCAA Championships. He helped develop newcomer Pradella into one of the nation’s top 30 players and turned freshman Lenz into the Big 12’s Freshman of the Year. Overall, Knoll directed BU to a 22-6 record, a 5-0 Big 12 mark and an end of the year ranking of No. 12.
In 2012, Knoll was faced with one of the youngest teams in his time at Baylor. Five freshmen, a sophomore, a junior and two seniors made up a roster that finished the season with a 19-12 record. The Bears advanced to the finals of the Big 12 Championship and made it back to the NCAA Championship round of 16. Under Knoll’s watch, freshman Mate Zsiga earned All-American honors in singles play.
With five student-athletes returning and the addition of three newcomers, the 2011 Bears recaptured the Big 12 regular season title with a perfect 6-0 mark, downing Texas A&M for the crown. In addition, Baylor finished the season at 22-5, was ranked No. 6 in the final ITA rankings and advanced to the NCAA Championship quarterfinals where it was eliminated by fourth-ranked Ohio State. Knoll added two more All-Americans to his already impressive list as John Peers and Roberto Maytin earned the recognition in doubles.
In 2010, Knoll welcomed back six letterwinners from the 2009 squad, including three seniors, as his team looked poised to continue its Big 12 Conference dominance. However, after a 16-3 non-conference record, the Bears lost to Texas A&M and Texas to start conference play. The losses cost the Bears a chance at their ninth straight conference title, but Baylor closed out Big 12 competition with four consecutive wins before being dealt a quarterfinal loss in the Big 12 Championship by Texas A&M. Using their senior leadership and the Knoll’s guidance, the Bears rebounded from their second loss to A&M to march all the way to the NCAA Championship quarterfinals as the No. 7 seed, defeating the Aggies in the round of 16 for the ultimate revenge. Baylor lost in the Elite Eight to No. 2 Tennessee, 4-0. Senior Denes Lukacs earned All-American status for the third time during his career, becoming just the fourth Bear to accomplish that feat. He closed his Baylor career with 135 career victories, while fellow senior Dominik Mueller was named an Academic All-American and finished his career as BU’s career leader in dual-match victories with 96.
In 2009, with just one senior on the squad, Baylor posted a 26-6 mark to earn the No. 7 spot in the final ITA rankings. The Bears were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament in the Elite Eight by third-ranked Ohio State, 4-1. The squad won the program’s eight straight regular season Big 12 title and the ninth overall and notched the program’s seventh Big 12 tournament title. Lukacs earned All-American status for the second straight season and became one of only five Bears to become a two-time singles All-American, joining Benjamin Becker, Benedikt Dorsch, Lars Poerschke and Johann Jooste.
As the 2008 season dawned, lone senior Poerschke was projected to lead the Bears back to the top. However, he battled injuries throughout the season, as the Bears still posted a 25-9 record and finished the season at No. 8. Both Poerschke and Lukacs earned ITA All-American honors in singles. The Bears were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament in the Elite Eight by top-ranked and undefeated Virginia. Baylor won the program’s seventh straight regular season Big 12 title and eighth overall and notched another Big 12 Championship title.
The Bears completed their 2007 campaign with a 28-4 mark and were ranked No. 4 in the FILA/Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s (ITA) final national rankings to close a string of five straight years being ranked inside the final top four teams. The Bears fell to 10th-ranked Illinois in the NCAA semifinals; however, they once again claimed both the regular season and tournament titles in Big 12 play.
In 2006, Knoll’s squad surprised many by advancing to the NCAA semifinals before falling to undefeated and top-ranked Georgia. The Bears finished the season ranked No. 4 in the country. Baylor also claimed its fifth straight Big 12 regular season title.
NATIONAL PROMINENCE
The 2004 and 2005 campaigns proved to be, to this point, the most successful in the program’s history. The men’s tennis team brought Baylor its first team national title in school history in 2004. The Bears posted a 32-2 record, ending the season on a 24-match win streak. Baylor claimed the Big 12 Conference title, along with the Big 12 tournament title before going on to claim the NCAA championship over UCLA. Baylor senior Benjamin Becker also claimed the program’s first individual championship as well earning the NCAA singles title.
In 2005, Baylor posted a 33-1 record and sported a 57-match win streak, which was halted in the championship match loss to UCLA. Baylor recorded its fourth consecutive Big 12 regular season and tournament titles as well. Dorsch, a senior, claimed the program’s second-straight NCAA singles title in 2005 following Becker’s 2004 championship.
INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS
Under Knoll’s guidance, the Bears produced two NCAA singles champions (Becker and Dorsch); two ITA Players of the Year (Dorsch, twice) and 18 players earned All-American status (35 times). In fact, Dorsch earned double All-American status in all three of his seasons at Baylor. Four Knoll pupils, Becker, Dorsch, Poerschke and Peers, have enjoyed success on the ATP Tour. Becker has ranked among the tour’s top 50 while Dorsch had a career-high ranking of 160. In addition, Becker was selected to represent his native Germany in 2007 Davis Cup competition. Poerschke reached as high as No. 279 on the ATP?singles rankings.
Peers is the latest BU product to shine on the pro tour as he has climbed as high as No. 2 in the ATP doubles rankings. He played in both the 2015 Wimbledon and US Open doubles finals with partner Jamie Murray and won his first grand slam title at the 2017 Australian Open with partner Henri Kontinen. Peers and Kontinen also advanced to the semifinals of Wimbledon and the U.S. Open before closing out the 2017 season with his second consecutive ATP Finals crown.
EARLY BAYLOR YEARS
In 1996, Baylor finished 7-14 overall and did not win a conference match. Following that season, Baylor hired Knoll as coach and led the Bears in the Big 12’s inaugural season. The Bears finished eighth in the Big 12 in 1997, and since then have finished either third or better on 19 occasions.
Following his hire, Knoll inherited a team with no seniors that had a 0-7 conference record. Knoll’s first squad improved to 13-12 overall, adding Jooste, David Hodge and Johannes Michalsky to the team.
Year two saw the Bears improve again, jumping from eighth to second in the Big 12 and earning the program’s first NCAA Tournament bid.
The Bears continued to grow in year three of the Knoll era, as Baylor showed signs of the success that was to come. Baylor finished second in the Big 12 for the second time and the Bears earned a top-10 final ranking after advancing to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals. The Bears registered their first 20-win season, finishing at 25-4.
In year four, the Bears won the first of nine Big 12 regular season titles going 8-0 in conference play. The 2000 roster featured three All-Americans: Jooste, who earned honors in singles, while Hodge and Mark Williams were honored for doubles. Baylor upset defending national champion Stanford that season and reached the NCAA quarterfinals.
In 2001, the Bears lost four standouts Jooste, Hodge, Pawel Gajdzik and Michalsky. However, Baylor still reached the NCAA Tournament for the fourth year in a row.
In 2002, the Bears won their second Big 12 regular season title, the first of what proved to be eight in a row. They took the Big 12 Conference regular season and the championship titles, a first for the evolving program. The Bears went undefeated in conference, 7-0, for the second time in three years and then-freshman Becker earned All-American honors.
In 2003, the Bears inched closer to the national title, advancing to the NCAA quarterfinals and finished the season ranked fourth, a program-best at the time. The Bears won their third Big 12 title, positioning themselves for a 2004 national championship run.
PRIOR TO BAYLOR
Before arriving at Baylor, Knoll served as an assistant coach for two years at the University of Kansas. During his time in Lawrence, the Jayhawks won two Big Eight Conference titles, two Region V championships and made two NCAA Tournament appearances.
Knoll coached three All-Americans, three Davis Cup players and one Olympian at Kansas. He worked in a number of capacities at Kansas, including a stint as the director of the 1996 Big Eight Conference Tournament. Knoll was also the director of the Lawrence Tennis Association (LTA), a community tennis association that organized junior and adult leagues and tournaments along with junior tennis leagues.
Before coaching at Kansas, Knoll spent one year as the head men’s tennis coach at Northern Iowa. He helped rebuild a program that was virtually noncompetitive before his arrival.
Prior to accepting the job at Northern Iowa, Knoll served as a teaching professional at the Overland Park (Kan.) Racquet Club for three years.
Knoll’s first coaching experience came at the University of South Alabama, where he spent one year as the assistant men’s and women’s coach. Under his guidance, both squads were crowned Sun Belt Conference champions.
Prior to coaching, Knoll enjoyed success as a player. He began his collegiate career at Kansas State, where he participated until the program was dropped. From there, he transferred to Washburn University for the remainder of his collegiate career. He received Academic All-American honors and was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player.
Knoll finished out his playing career by traveling on the Satellite Professional Tour. He graduated Cum Laude from Washburn University and went on to earn a Masters of Arts degree from Kansas. Knoll is a USA Tennis High Performance Coach and a USPTA Professional.
PERSONAL
A father of two, Knoll’s twin sons, Erik and Karch, were born in February 2003.
