"Where do I even start. Jeff Nevolo was my college tennis coach for four years and in that span of time he had a significant, positive impact on me as a tennis player and a person. I know that this is the obvious, but he helped turn an average program into a top 3 team within three years. Not many coaches have that as an accolade, and I can gauruntee you that no coach can do this without being motivational, dedicated, and a team leader/coach that players want to play for. Regarding my progress as a player, Jeff was with me on my court for every single match I played and helped me set records for my school that I didn't even know I was capable of. Jeff helped me improve my game by enhancing my strengths and addressing my weaknesses without changing my game or molding me into a player that I wasn't. Jeff also supported me through thick and thin on the court, and most importantly he ALWAYS had my back both on and off the court. He always pushed me to be my best as a competitor but without question deeply cared for me as a person, first & foremost. Jeff made it known to me and all my teammates that he was someone we could utilize as a support system. Jeff genuinely cared about who we were as human beings, and created an environment that not only made us better teammates, but better people. The team culture that he and our head coach created is something I continue to discuss with other professionals in sports & psychology - currently being studied because teams want to replicate it. A successful team culture model is not easy to implement, it is something that takes time, hard work, blood, sweat, and tears... which a lot of players don't grasp. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. I would not be where I am today and as successful as I am without Jeff, and he is still someone I can reach out to for guidance. In the future, if I have kids who play college tennis, I can only hope they have a coach like Jeff Nevolo!"

"Coach Nevolo was the assistant coach at the United States Air Force Academy, where I had the privilege of playing under him. You won’t find a more credible or motivational coach. He genuinely had our best interests at heart and showed up every day with the intent to make us better. Sometimes, those conversations weren’t comfortable—but that’s where true growth of character happens: in those moments. Personally, I didn’t perform to the standards I was recruited at and spent a good portion of my collegiate career on the bench. Coach Nevolo never gave up on my tennis. He stayed honest about the fact that I wasn’t meeting the performance level required to be in the starting lineup and taught me hard lessons that were tough to digest as a 20-year-old. Through his mentorship and guidance, rather than becoming a toxic presence on the team, I chose to be the best bench player I could be—whether that meant being the loudest on the sidelines to keep the starters’ energy high or giving 110% in practice to hold the lineup accountable and ensure they were earning their spot. His leadership helped me understand that it’s not about me—it’s about the performance of the team. That lesson has served me incredibly well in the professional world beyond college. It was difficult to learn at a young age, but now, as a leader in my industry, I couldn’t be more grateful for his example and guidance. While I’m disappointed that he’s no longer the head coach at SMU, I have no doubt that wherever he lands, success will follow. - Riz"

"Jeff recruited me to play college tennis and I can honestly say he has made one of the biggest impacts on my life, not only on my tennis but as a person. Every day in my career, I use the lessons his program taught me and I would not be where I am today without him. The program Jeff runs pushes you beyond your limits mentally and physically and you will without a doubt leave better than you came. Jeff cares deeply about his program, his players and his staff and will always remain one of my greatest mentors. He is someone I look up to and any program would be lucky to have him. SMU truly lost a great person, world-class coach and someone who no doubt will bring another program to new heights, just as he did with the Mustangs. "

"Jeff coached me all four years of my collegiate career and I couldn’t have imagined it any other way. While I would hear stories from my peers about their (less than great) college experiences, I would always think, and still do, how grateful and lucky I was to have a coach like Jeff in my corner. I wouldn’t have reached the heights I did in my collegiate career and now in my professional life, without having a mentor who believed in me more than I believed in myself. Jeff not only helped me see but harness my full potential as a strong and confident woman both on and off the court. Hard pressed to find a coach like that out there that still cares so much as to up the phone and check in with you years and years later. Couldn’t recommend more. "

"I had the privilege of playing under Coach Nevolo during my first two years of college tennis, and his impact on me extended far beyond the court. He challenged me to grow not only as a player, but as a leader, teammate, and man of character. The discipline, accountability, and resilience he instilled in me have stayed with me throughout my 9+ years of active duty military service and have shaped the way I lead others every day. What makes Coach Nevolo stand out is how he lives out his values. He leads with humility and integrity, is a devoted husband and father, and genuinely cares about the people he coaches. He always made my family feel like a core part of the team, and that example of inclusive, values-driven leadership left a lasting mark on me. Even after my college years, our relationship never stopped. Jeff has continued to be a mentor and friend—steady, wise, and encouraging. I’m incredibly thankful for his continued presence in my life, and I wouldn’t hesitate to entrust my own future children to his coaching, knowing the kind of impact he has on those he leads. If you have the chance to work with or play for Coach Nevolo, you’re not just getting a great coach—you’re gaining a lifelong mentor and someone who will truly invest in your growth, both on and off the court."

"Jeff coached me through all 4 years of college. During some of the most formidable years of my life I am so grateful to have had Jeff offer me guidance, direction, and support. He is someone who not only believes in his players on court but believes in the people they can become and dedicates himself to bettering both. He holds his players to a standard that fosters a new level of self confidence which prepares them to be successful as they move through life after tennis. To this day Jeff shows up as a mentor in my life. He has changed the trajectory of who I am and who I am and I will always feel such pride and appreciation for my time under his leadership. "

"Coach Nevolo has been one of the most influential figures in my life. My time playing under him in college shaped me far beyond the tennis court. He pushed me to grow not only as an athlete but as a person, instilling discipline, accountability, and resilience—qualities that have served me well in every aspect of life. Those lessons didn’t end when I graduated. They’ve been instrumental throughout my 12-year military career, helping me meet the challenges of service with the mindset and work ethic Coach Nevolo helped instill. Over the years, our relationship has grown beyond that of coach and player; Jeff has become a trusted mentor and a true family friend. His guidance and encouragement didn’t end with graduation, and I’m incredibly grateful for his continued presence in my life. In fact, I would not hesitate to allow my own daughter to play for him in the future, knowing the positive impact he has on the young people he coaches and mentors. If you’re fortunate enough to have Coach Nevolo in your corner, know that you’re gaining someone who will genuinely invest in your growth as an athlete and as a person."

"We had direct experience with Jeff as our daughter’s college tennis coach for four years. Jeff provided a consistent sense of caring, structure, passion for excellence and dedication, not only to the program and university but to each and every player as well. Our daughter would often share stories about team centered messages, honest yet supportive conversations she had with coach Jeff and motivational exercises he would do with the team to support their player development. Additionally, Jeff proved time and time again to be supportive of a players individual academic schedule as well as their individual developmental goals pertaining to Tennis. Jeff will go out of his way to support the player in every aspect, often times taking his personal time on the weekend to have a conversation, hit, or work on specific aspects of the game. As a parent, Jeff was always incredibly welcoming to us when we attended games on the SMU campus as well as away matches. He was personable, cared about our family and often times asked about our other children and parents. We are grateful that our daughter had the opportunity to play tennis at SMU under the direction of Coach Jeff. We saw our daughter develop as a player, an adult, a friend, a teammate and academically throughout her four years with him. Jeff cares about the game - but also about each player and how they develop throughout their 4 years in college. We would recommend Jeff to any family that was considering a school where Jeff was the head tennis coach. Jeff’s departure is truly a loss for southern Methodist University. "

"Jeff Nevolo is an inspiring and charismatic coach, but most of all, a kind person. He is passionate about helping people reach their highest potential, and I am so thankful for Jeff’s selfless mentorship. He is dedicated to developing his players and building a safe and loyal community around them. Anyone that has the opportunity to know Coach Nevolo is deeply privileged. "

"I was fortunate enough to have Jeff as my college tennis coach. He changed my identity as a person and tennis player by learning how to hold myself to a standard as well as believe in myself. He truly believes so much in all of his players, and cares deeply about preparing them for their lives after college just as much as he cares about developing their tennis games. He is someone who I always felt comfortable going to with any aspect of my life as he is someone you can be vulnerable with and he offers great advice. He is incredibly passionate and is always the source of energy. I reached my full potential playing for Jeff, but more importantly, I would not be where I am today without his support and the things I took away from playing for him. That is something I am very thankful for. "

"Jeff coached my daughter for four years of college, so I have more than a passing familiarity with his personality, style, and competence. I found him to be honest and direct with his team. He didn't coddle them, but would identify areas for improvement and work with them to achieve it. He coached, and mentored his charges to success. I have been a sales leader for 30+ years and take the same attitude with my staff. It's my (and Jeff's) obligation and privilege to identify potential in those we lead and help them to hit their peak, and maybe even find another level they didn't think was there. In my experience he accomplished this through speaking candidly with his players so they were on the same page, and them working to find mutually beneficial methods to grow into who they want to be on and off the court. Jeff went over and beyond what was expected, in order to help his players. He didn't clock out and go home, but would stay and work however long it took to make progress. That is not the hallmark of a poor coach. That's what every coach should aspire to. My daughter had times when she'd think things were hard, but Jeff would help her push through them, and today they still speak to each other at least monthly. He's not getting paid to continue the relationship but still helps whenever he can. Any team would be fortunate to have him on board."

"Over the years since graduating, I’ve felt very fortunate to be able to pick up the phone and call Jeff whenever I needed advice or guidance. Just this last year, calling him about a new career opportunity. Not only is he a great person and now someone I’m lucky enough to call a friend, he also is a players coach. There wasn’t a single fitness test that he didn’t do with our team, a single challenge that he wasn’t up for. He was encouraging, positive and believe believed in me often times more than I believed in myself. He pushed you at the right times and listened when you needed it. I’ve spoken to him throughout his time at SMU and he was so proud of the team and culture that he worked so hard on the past few years. SMU lost a great one - the next group of athletes gained a leader and gem of a human. "

"I've known Jeff for years. He is one of the most dedicated and caring coaches there is. He pushes hard of course, but the ladies who came through his program all praise him and remain friends with him to this day. He is not only a tennis teacher but a life teacher. In fact, he is one of the best coaches in women's tennis and SMU clearly made a bad choice by succumbing to the will of the disgruntled. Every team has a few. It's really too bad. SMU lost a great coach and a great person. "

"Jeff was an amazing coach to me. He’s taught me so much on and off the court. We have had many laughs through the wins and losses. He has good core values and wants the best for his players."

"Had Jeff as a coach during my college career and he was a game changer. Injected a positive, passionate and fun environment where you always knew he wanted the best for you. Cares a lot about your development as a player but more importantly a person. Always there to chat, give advice and crack a joke. Always willing to go the extra mile to develop you as a player, whether it’s going over film, extra hits or talking strategy. Would recommend to any player who wants to get better, be involved in an all encompassing culture and have a well rounded college tennis experience! "