Coaching at UTA
UTA's coaching approach is built on three principles:
- Every player has their own game
- Fundamental respect for each player
- Hard work and discipline are required for success
No two players are alike. Every player has inate abilities and strengths as well as their own unique physical and mental make-up. Our coaches work hard with our players to find (and nurture) the style and type of game that works best for each player. This work begins with deep respect for each player as an individual and ends with hard work and discipline -- by both coach and player
The coaching staff at UTA is second to none. All of our senior coaches are former student athletes with degrees from schools such as Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, Virginia, Duke, North Carolina and Northwestern. In addition, some of our coaches played on the professional tour after college. Others had professional careers they gave up to teach tennis. Our coaches are well-rounded individuals who offer far more than tennis when developing a player.
Finally, each of our coaches has a portfolio of teaching skills, techniques and tools. All our coaches coach at drills as well as work with players during private lessons. While coaches do work with players individually, the collaborative environment at UTA allows players to thrive because they benefit from the knowledge and experience of all our coaches.
Below are the bios of the UTA partners. Together, they are responsible for providing direction and leadersip for UTA and bring years of playing, teaching and leadership experience to their jobs. Each UTA tennis site has additional coaches that support development of adult and junior players. Check the "Coaching Staff" section on the website for your UTA site to see who is coaching at that location.
UTA Management Team (UTM)
Carol Doherty has deep experience in accounting and business management including a stint as the CFO for Kissinger Associates, the geopolitical consulting firm established by Henry Kissinger. When her children started training at UTA, she offered to help with their accounting. Today, she is the General Manager allowing UTA coaches to do what they do best -- develop tennis players.
David Drew is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, David received Bachelors and Masters degrees. After leaving Vanderbilt, he competed for three years on the ATP tour. David has recently been traveling and coaching ATP Touring professional Bobby Reynolds who hit his highest ranking at 62 in 2009. When not on the courts, David enjoys boating and playing golf. David is part of the team that runs Chattahoochee Plantation.
David Stolle is a 1995 graduate of the University of Virginia, where he earned a degree in psychology and a minor in religious studies. He played #1 singles and doubles his senior year, and also served as Team Captain. David leads Chastain Park Tennis Center as well as manages our College Placement program.
Kenyon Generette-Oliver is a 1992 graduate of Mars Hill College, where he earned a degree in Communications and English. Keynon has Head Tennis Professional experience (Dunwoody C.C. and Atlanta C.C.) as well as being a staff professional at Capital City C.C. He is USPTA certified and has been teaching juniors for over 15 years. Keynon leads the team at Piedmont Park and Chastain Park Tennis Center.
Patti O'Reilly has played in all the Grand Slams -- Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open as a competitor on the woman's pro tour. Patti also played for Duke University where she was a collegiate All-American and a cum laude graduate. Patti and her identical triplet sisters are Duke University Hall of Famers and have a court named after them at Duke. Patti has also worked with the USTA National Team. Today, she leads Bitsy Grant with Tim Noonan in addition to working at Chattahoochee Plantation.
Stewart Russell is a 1987 graduate of Roanoke College in Virginia, where he earned a BA degree in Sociology. He played number 1 singles and doubles for three years at Roanoke. He captained the team for his Junior and Senior years, and achieved a ranking of #15 in Division 3 doubles his Senior year. He became the Head Mens Tennis Coach of Roanoke College in 1988 and coached the team for three seasons. He's been teaching tennis to all ages and ability levels ever since. Today he is part of the team that runs Chattahoochee Plantation and is Manager of the Nike Team Tennis Sales Program.
Tim Noonan was introduced to the Atlanta tennis scene as the Coach of the 1995 Atlanta Thunder, leading the Thunder to the WTT Finals. He and Patti O'Reilly lead Bitsy Grant Tennis Center. He also coaches at Chattahoochee Plantation. A Notre Dame graduate with a degree in architecture, Tim was also a four-year letterman and tennis team Captain. Tim’s wife Karen, stepdaughter Madie, and two dogs, Jake and Lucy, can all be seen playing around the club.