CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – After building the premier tennis dynasty in Southland Conference history, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's and women's tennis head coach
Steve Moore has agreed to a contract extension through the 2031 season, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics
Adrian Rodriguez announced.
"It's not by accident, the Islanders have racked up more SLC championships than any other school over the last 5 years, 28 in total, 10 more than anyone else in the Southland. As we seek to maintain our status as the preeminent athletic program in the SLC, 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 student-athletes, and a true winner – and we are so grateful to have Coach Moore at the helm of our Islanders Tennis program."
Moore enters his 21st season leading the Islanders after establishing one of the nation's premier mid-major tennis programs and the most successful tennis program in Southland Conference history.
Entering the 2026-27 season, Moore has compiled 729 career victories, including 678 at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. He owns a 365-180 record with the men's program and an impressive 313-98 mark with the women's program while earning 15 Southland Conference Coach of the Year honors—the most by any coach in conference history, regardless of sport.
Moore has a winning record against every SLC opponent in the league on both the women's and men's side. Furthermore, Moore is 31-2 against UTRGV for the women and 29-5 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.
Over the last three seasons alone, Moore has guided the Islanders to
seven Southland Conference championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances, reinforcing Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's position as the premier tennis program in the conference.
Following the men's dominant
Southland Conference Tournament title this spring, Islanders Tennis now owns an unprecedented 38 Southland Conference championships, the most in league history.
Associate head coach
Olga Bazhanova has also received a multi-year contract extension after playing an instrumental role in establishing one of the nation's premier mid-major tennis programs since joining the Islanders in 2017. A former standout student-athlete and accomplished coach, Bazhanova has helped guide the Islanders to multiple Southland Conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances while serving as a driving force in recruiting, player development and the championship culture that defines Islanders Tennis.
"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.
Since arriving in Corpus Christi in 2007, Moore has transformed Islanders Tennis into one of the nation's premier mid-major tennis programs, building a legacy defined by championships, sustained national success and the development of exceptional student-athletes. His program has become equally recognized for a culture rooted in family, accountability and character.
Academically, the Islanders have excelled in the classroom earning a grade point average above 3.0 for 47 consecutive semesters. Off the court, Moore has also raised over $1.6 million for Islanders Tennis.
With Moore and Bazhanova leading the program into the next decade, Islanders Tennis is positioned to continue setting the standard for championship success, academic excellence and student-athlete development in the Southland Conference.
A&M-Corpus Christi Tennis
- 38 Southland Conference Championships
- 18 NCAA Tournament appearances
- 15 Southland Conference Coach of the Year Awards (Most in conference history, any sport)
- Four Top-40 national rankings
- Three NCAA Tournament No. 3 seeds
- National ranking as high as No. 35 (men)
- National ranking as high as No. 60 (women)
- Men's program nationally ranked for 10 consecutive seasons
- Women's program ranked in the ITA Top 75 three times
- 47 consecutive semesters with a team GPA above 3.0
- More than $1.6 million raised to support the program
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