By: Cumberland Sports Information

LEBANON, Tenn. -- Cumberland University Vice President for Athletics Ron Pavan has announced the hiring of Tim Dunford as the next head coach of the Phoenix men's and women's tennis programs.

A veteran collegiate coach with more than 15 years of head coaching experience, Tim Dunford arrives at Cumberland after successful stops at the NCAA Division II and Division III levels, where he established a reputation for rebuilding programs, developing student-athletes, and fostering championship cultures.

"I am very excited to hire Tim Dunford as our new head men's and women's tennis coach," Pavan said. "Tim brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Cumberland University. He is a proven winner on and off the tennis court." 

Most recently, Dunford served as Director of Tennis and Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach at Bluefield State University, where he quickly transformed both programs. In his first season, he guided the women's team to a historic 10-4 record, an undefeated mark in CIAA play while coaching the CIAA Player of the Year, Female Athlete of the Year, and earning CIAA Women's Tennis Coach of the Year honors himself. He also revitalized the men's program, leading the squad to a strong start in his second season before injuries slowed its momentum. 

Prior to Bluefield State, Dunford spent time leading programs at Tusculum, Ashland, West Virginia Wesleyan, Brewton-Parker, King, Albion, the College of Wooster, and Thiel College. Throughout his career, he has consistently inherited programs in transition and elevated them through recruiting, player development, and a student-athlete centered philosophy.

His coaching résumé includes building two collegiate programs from the ground up, producing conference award winners, nationally ranked players and doubles teams, and numerous ITA Academic Teams.

"I would like to thank Mr. Pavan for this incredible opportunity," Dunford said. "I am both humbled and excited to now be a part of two programs that have such a rich history. I truly believe that these teams are sleeping giants, not just within the region, but nationally as well. I look forward to leading these storied programs to the prominence that they deserve!"

His teams have regularly earned ITA All-Academic Team recognition, with numerous players receiving Scholar-Athlete honors.

He holds a master's degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine and earned his bachelor's degree in Sports Administration from Shenandoah University in 2005.

Cumberland Women's Tennis earned an at-large berth to the NAIA National Championship last season finishing 11-10. The women won their first match at the NAIA National Championship since 2008. The men went 8-13 last season, but made four-consecutive NAIA National Championships prior to last year. 

Dunford becomes the latest leader of the two programs with a proud tradition at Cumberland and is set to begin working later in July.