Findlay, Ohio – A member of the University of Findlay tennis staff since 2018, Director of Tennis Jeff Westmeyer has decided to step down from his position at the head of both the men's and women's programs. Westmeyer, who spent five years as the women's head coach and one year leading the men's program, leaves Findlay having amassed 101 wins, 89 of which were on the women's side, making him the winningest women's tennis coach in program history. He will be pursuing another opportunity in coaching.
Director of Athletics Jim Givens said, "I am extremely grateful for the work Coach Westmeyer has put in over the past eight years here at Findlay. His passion for the sport of tennis, for his players, and for the University of Findlay shined through everything he did. The success of his teams was no accident as he so frequently went above and beyond to ensure a winning culture. He will be missed by all of us here at Findlay and we wish him nothing but the best as he continues his coaching career."
"I have had an amazing experience and I will always cherish the last eight years at the University of Findlay," Westmeyer commented. "It was a privilege to work with so many outstanding people in the athletic department and the coaching staff who were always supportive of not only me, but all the players I coached."
Westmeyer, a two-time conference Coach of the Year, arrived at Findlay in 2018 and served as the full-time assistant coach for both the men's and women's programs. In 2021, the programs were split with Westmeyer taking control of the women. Under his leadership, the Oilers exploded, quickly becoming a force in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), the region, and eventually the nation. In five seasons, Findlay's women had a record of 89-31 including a 38-4 mark in conference play. The team won G-MAC Tournament titles in 2023 and 2026 and earned trips to the NCAA DII postseason in each of his five seasons.
This past season was the most special, however, as the Oilers set a program record with 22 wins including a perfect 9-0 mark in conference play. Findlay earned the top seed in the conference tournament and went on to win the G-MAC Championship. That success led to the No. 2 seed in the region, which the Oilers then won, giving the team a berth in the NCAA DII National Championship for the first time in program history. In Phoenix, Arizona, the site of the championship, Findlay won its first match before bowing out in the quarterfinals.
Under Westmeyer, Findlay's women spent 28 weeks in the top-25 of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Poll and reached a program-best No. 4 ranking in the country this past season.
Westmeyer continued: "The success we have had would not have been possible without everyone's help, and they all own a part of that success. I was also blessed to work with some fantastic assistant coaches, and I will always be thankful for their dedication, commitment, and hard work, with a special thank you to Luigi Bove. Finally, and most importantly, for all the amazing players who allowed me to be a part of their life as their coach, it was an honor to be your coach and watch you grow and develop into such incredible people. You made me a better person and coach. To all of you: thank you, merci, spasibo, hvala ti, dakujem, dziekuje, grazie, arigatou, gracias. Have fun, be smart."
