Jeffrey Farris, the 2001 Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year and a two-time All-GSC selection as a tennis student-athlete at Delta State University, became the head coach of the Lady Statesman and Statesman Tennis programs in 2016. He succeeded his former coach Asa Atkinson, who retired from coaching at the conclusion of the 2016 season.
In just his second year as head coach, Farris has already turned the Statesmen tennis program around, leading the Statesmen to one of their most successful seasons in program history. The Statesmen finished with a 9-7 overall record, including six conference wins--the most in single season history for Delta State. He also led the Statesmen to their 11th appearance in the Gulf South Conference Men's Tennis Tournament as the fifth seed.
Farris concluded his first year as head coach of the Statesmen and Lady Statesmen tennis programs leading the women to a 5-16 overall record and 3-7 GSC record in 2016-17. Under Farris' direction, the men finished the 2017 season 5-12 overall with a 3-6 record in conference play. He led the Statesmen to their 10th GSC tournament appearance and the Lady Statesmen to their 12th GSC tournament appearance in program history.
Farris, who serves as Delta State's director of alumni affairs, will remain in that role while serving as head coach of DSU Tennis. Since July 1, 2008, the Brandon, Miss., native has managed 32,000-plus alumni and friends across the United States and the world.
"I am humbled and honored about the opportunity to be the head coach of the men's and women's tennis program at Delta State," Farris said. I have been a proud member of the Delta State tennis family since I first arrived on campus in 2000 and I'm thrilled to be a head tennis coach in the best conference in Division II athletics. I look forward to rallying Delta State Tennis Alumni, developing friends of the program, and leading a diverse team of student athletes as we compete for a NCAA Division II National Championship. I hope to build upon the foundation Coach Asa Atkinson has established and continue to move our program up the rankings in the GSC and NCAA Division II."
Farris has remained actively involved in tennis within the state and region. He is a member of the United States Tennis Association, Mississippi Tennis Association, and Delta Community Tennis Association. He currently serves on the MTA Board and is a member of the Southern Tennis Association Grievance Committee.
Since 2005, he has also taught several tennis classes for the Division of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Delta State. He has also served as an admissions recruiter and assistant alumni director at DSU.
During his playing career, Farris was 42-11 as a single's player for the Statesmen and 11-14 in doubles play from 2000-2001 to 2003-2004. After going 14-4 in singles, he was named the GSC West Division Freshman of the Year in 2001. He garnered All-GSC in 2001-2002 after posting a 12-3 singles record and was named DSU Team MVP.
As a senior, Farris closed out his tennis career at DSU with a 10-3 mark in singles play and a 2-1 record in doubles action. For that effort, he was named All-GSC for a second time in his illustrious tenure at DSU.
Following his last season with the Statesmen, Farris received the 2004 Charles S. Kerg Senior Male Athlete of the Year, the highest honor a student-athlete can receive at DSU.
Farris is active in the Cleveland community, serving as past president of the Cleveland Noon Lions Club. He serves on the Cleveland/Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce, held board positions for the United Way, sat on DSU's Administrative Staff Council as Staff Development Chair, and helped in various roles on numerous campus search committees.
He graduated in May of 2004 with a bachelor's degree in general studies from Delta State University and he completed his master's in health, physical education and recreation in May of 2005.
Farris is married to Stephanie (Batchelor) Farris and the couple has one son, Keegan.
FARRIS YEAR-BY-YEAR DELTA STATE PLAYING CAREER:
| YEAR |
SINGLES W-L |
DOUBLES W-L |
HONORS |
| 2000-2001 |
14-4 |
8-11 |
GSC West Division Freshman of the Year |
| 2001-2002 |
12-3 |
1-0 |
All-Gulf South Conference/Team MVP |
| 2002-2003 |
6-1 |
1-2 |
|
| 2003-2004 |
10-3 |
2-1 |
All-Gulf South Conference/Kerg Award |
| TOTALS |
42-11 |
12-14 |
|
