CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Having produced two of the winningest programs in the history of the Southland Conference, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's and women's tennis head coach
Steve Moore has received a contract extension through the 2030 season, announced by Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics
Adrian Rodriguez.
"As we seek to maintain our status as the preeminent athletic program in the Southland Conference, it is imperative that we retain the very best coaches in the business, and
Steve Moore exemplifies that in every way," said Rodriguez. "Coach Moore has built a tennis dynasty at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and is unquestionably one of the very best and most respected tennis coaches in the country. He is a pillar in our community, a dynamic role model and leader to his world class athletes, and a true winner – and we are so grateful to have Coach Moore at the helm of our Islanders Tennis program."
Over the last three seasons, Moore has coached the Islanders to seven SLC Championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances. In his career, Moore has guided A&M-Corpus Christi to 16 NCAA Tournament appearances and has won 15 Coach of the Year awards, both of which are the most all-time in the league's history for any sport.
After the men and women both took home the regular season titles this past year, Islanders Tennis now reigns with 37 total championships with Moore accounting for 35 of those titles since 2007. Associate head coach Olga Bazhanoza has also received a multi-year extension with the program, having played a large part of the winning culture and Islanders Tennis success since 2017.
"The special Islanders Tennis family culture and these wonderful kids have been such a blessing to my family and I for the past 20 years. We are grateful to God for this big Islanders Tennis Family! Leading and seeing them grow into champions in their communities, families, friendships and jobs is so fulfilling! The leadership and support here at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with our amazing President Kelly Miller and AD
Adrian Rodriguez is the foundation of our success and make this a destination job to me! They have simply been amazing to work for! The championships together have been memorable but the relationships for life are priceless! Islanders Tennis is truly a family that fights for each other and sticks together long after college! Our "real world training" philosophy of family, character, accountability have created a different and special culture that draws exceptional kids you love to coach! I look forward to seeing these high character kids every day, and even the long trips are a joy being all together! The special donors who share the Islander Tennis values have also propelled us with their support and heart! Coaching with my amazing wife,
Olga Bazhanova, is special beyond words and her leadership is also a pillar of this team! Islander Family always!" said Moore.
Moore carries 694 career victories as a head coach including 645 of those coming as the leader of Islanders Tennis. He hoists a 350-175 record on the men's side while dominating with a 295-93 overall record on the women's side. In conference play, Moore has 205 victories over Southland opponents since 2007 with a combined 52-16 tournament record between the men and women.
This has aided him leading both teams to historic heights, each holding the all-time conference records for championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. The women have 14 championships and seven NCAAs, while th men are one of the most winning programs across all sports in the league with 23 total championships and 10 NCAAs.
Moore has a winning record against every SLC opponent in the league on both the women's and men's side. Furthermore, Moore is 30-1 against UTRGV for the women and 28-4 against the men in the South Texas Showdown. A&M-Corpus Christi's biggest all-time advantage in the annual rivalry series with the Vaqueros is in tennis.
Academically, the Islanders have excelled in the classroom earning a grade point average above 3.0 for 45 consecutive semesters. Off the court, Moore has also raised over $1.6 million for Islanders Tennis.
A&M-Corpus Christi Tennis
- 17 NCAA Tournaments
- 37 SLC Championships
- 4 Top-40 National Rankings
- 3.0 GPA 45 Straight Semesters
- Islanders have received a No. 3 seed at the NCAA Tournament three times
- Women's tennis has cracked the ITA top-75 national rankings three times
- Men's tennis has cracked the ITA national rankings 10 consecutive years
- Ranked nationally in NCAA DI as high as No. 35 for the men and No. 60 for the women
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