Nicolas Vinel Appointed as Head Coach of SDSU Women’s Tennis

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The SDSU women's tennis team during a training session, showcasing their dedication to the sport.

News Summary

Nicolas Vinel has been named the new head coach of the San Diego State Aztec women’s tennis team, succeeding Peter Mattera after his retirement. Vinel, who has been with the program for 11 years and held various coaching roles, aims to continue the team’s success and uphold the high standards established by his predecessor. Under Mattera’s guidance, the Aztecs achieved remarkable accomplishments including multiple championships and academic honors. The transition marks a new chapter for the program as it looks to build on its recent successes.

San Diego, CA – Nicolas Vinel has been appointed as the new head coach of the San Diego State Aztec women’s tennis team following the retirement of longtime coach Peter Mattera. Vinel, often referred to as Nico, transitions from his role as associate head coach, a position he held for the past six seasons.

Vinel has been a part of the SDSU tennis program for 11 years, initially starting as a volunteer coach in the 2014-15 season before being promoted to assistant coach in the 2016-17 season and later to associate head coach in the 2019-20 season. Under his leadership, the Aztecs achieved significant accomplishments, including 19 all-Mountain West players and seven Mountain West Players of the Week. Additionally, during his tenure, the program was recognized for its academic excellence, earning 32 academic all-Mountain West honors and 11 Mountain West scholar-athletes.

The SDSU women’s tennis team has enjoyed a successful recent run, claiming the Mountain West regular season championship and securing Mountain West tournament championships in both 2022 and 2024. Vinel’s commitment to developing talent on the court while also focusing on recruiting and academic monitoring has greatly contributed to the program’s success.

Athletic Director John David Wicker has highlighted Vinel’s potential to lead the program into the future. In his new role, Vinel is expected to maintain the high standards of competition and academic performance that have become synonymous with the SDSU women’s tennis program.

Before joining San Diego State, Vinel built his coaching reputation in the South of France, where he trained elite players, including those ranked in the top 100 of the ATP and WTA rankings. He also has a strong background as a collegiate player, having received the Colonial Athletic Association “Freshman of the Year” award while playing for Virginia Commonwealth University before transferring to Santa Clara University, where he led his team to the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Vinel graduated from Santa Clara University in 2012 with a degree in economics. He is married to Kacie Wagner and has two children, Luna and Noah.

Peter Mattera, who served as the head coach for 33 seasons, retired as one of the most decorated coaches in the history of the SDSU women’s tennis program. He concluded an impressive coaching career with a record of 430-327, which includes 22 winning seasons and 14 NCAA tournament appearances. Mattera was recognized with Mountain West Coach of the Year honors three times and has been an advocate for the academic success of his athletes, leading to 92 academic all-Mountain West awards and two NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipients.

Under Mattera’s guidance, SDSU developed into a competitive force in women’s tennis, consistently maintaining a top-50 presence in national rankings. His contributions to the program have garnered significant respect and gratitude from former players and the Aztec Athletics community.

In honor of Coach Mattera’s impactful career, a legacy fund has been established to support the SDSU Women’s Tennis program. This fund aims to ensure continued success and development of the team while facilitating opportunities for future generations of athletes.

With Vinel stepping up as head coach, the Aztecs look forward to building upon the successes of the past seasons and further establishing their prominence within collegiate tennis. As the program enters a new chapter, players and supporters alike are hopeful for an exciting future under Vinel’s leadership.