Bowling Green State University Athletics
Autumn Williams Named BGSU Tennis Head Coach
May 17, 2026 | Tennis
Williams Introductory Press Conference Set For May 18
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Bowling Green State University Vice President for Athletics Strategy Derek van der Merwe has announced the hiring of Autumn Williams as the head tennis coach. Williams will arrive in Bowling Green after spending the last 12 seasons as the head coach for Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Prior to her time with the Javelinas, Williams served as the head coach at Clark Atlanta University, bringing 16 years of collegiate head coaching experience to the Falcons.
Williams, the 10th head coach in Falcon tennis history, will be formally introduced at a press conference on Monday (May 18) at 3 p.m. in the Schmidthorst Heritage Hall inside the Stroh Center.
"Autumn's energy, authenticity and passion for competitive success and building meaningful relationships immediately stood out throughout this process," said van der Merwe. "She has a magnetic personality that naturally brings people together and reflects the values of BGSU and the Bowling Green community. We are excited for our student-athletes to be mentored by someone who is deeply committed to creating a strong culture of connection, support and growth both on and off the court."
Williams comes to Bowling Green with two NCAA Regional Appearances, advancing to the tournament once with the Javelinas and once with Clark Atlanta as well. A three-time conference Coach of the Year across her career, Williams' teams have achieved national recognition, including a national ranking-best of 23rd in D-II. She is also a part of the inaugural class for USTA's Women in Coaching Cohort for 2026.Â
"I am incredibly excited and honored to join the Bowling Green State University women's tennis program as head coach and the Falcon family," said Williams. "From the very beginning, the support, energy and genuine welcome from the department made this opportunity feel truly special. I'm grateful to be joining a community that has embraced me with open arms, and I cannot wait to get to work building something meaningful with our student-athletes and staff."
This past season, Williams' coached Guadalupe Tocci and Maya Donkor who ranked as high as 12th this year in doubles in the ITA D-II rankings. During the 2023-24 season, Williams' coached two student-athletes to impressive postseason recognitions. Under Williams' tutelage, Alessa Maier finished the year 17-2 in singles play and was named ITA's Division-II National Most Improved Player while being the first All-American in program history and ranking as high as the No. 6 singles player in the nation. Maier joined a list that included two Player of the Year honorees and one Freshman of the Year from Williams' time at Clark Atlanta.
Academically, Maier's doubles partner in 2023-24, Milou ter Morsche, was named the conference Academic Player of the Year. As for the 2018-19 campaign, Williams mentored Valerie Ruiz who went on to be named the LSC Sportsmanship Player of the Year. Ruiz and ter Morsche highlight a long list of academic excellence under Williams that includes numerous ITA All-Academic Team members and four ITA Community Service Awards, including receiving the award in both 2025 and 2026.
In addition to her work on the court, Williams has been an active member of the tennis community. She has served multiple terms as the LSC Women's Tennis Chair & Co-Chair, spent time on the ITA Regional Committees and is a graduate of the NCAA Women's Coaches Academy. Additionally, away from the sport, she has served as a CASA volunteer since 2017, working as a court appointed special advocate for children who have been separated from their families.Â
Originally from Chicago, Ill., Williams earned her Bachelor's degree in mass media arts/journalism from Clark Atlanta University in 2004 and completed her Master's in Sports Athletic Administration from Coker College in 2015. She also holds a second Bachelor's degree in photographic imaging from the Art Institute of Atlanta.Â
She began her coaching tenure in 2002 as a tennis professional at Sugar Creek Tennis Center before becoming the head tennis professional at the PGA TOUR Superstore for Kennesaw and Roswell, Georgia in 2006, a role she held until 2012.Â
Follow the Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons' tennis team on social media.
Twitter – @BGSU_Athletics and @BGSUTennis
Instagram – 'bgfalcons' and 'bgsutennis'
Facebook – 'BGSU Athletics'
YouTube – 'Falcon Athletics'Â
Williams, the 10th head coach in Falcon tennis history, will be formally introduced at a press conference on Monday (May 18) at 3 p.m. in the Schmidthorst Heritage Hall inside the Stroh Center.
"Autumn's energy, authenticity and passion for competitive success and building meaningful relationships immediately stood out throughout this process," said van der Merwe. "She has a magnetic personality that naturally brings people together and reflects the values of BGSU and the Bowling Green community. We are excited for our student-athletes to be mentored by someone who is deeply committed to creating a strong culture of connection, support and growth both on and off the court."
Williams comes to Bowling Green with two NCAA Regional Appearances, advancing to the tournament once with the Javelinas and once with Clark Atlanta as well. A three-time conference Coach of the Year across her career, Williams' teams have achieved national recognition, including a national ranking-best of 23rd in D-II. She is also a part of the inaugural class for USTA's Women in Coaching Cohort for 2026.Â
"I am incredibly excited and honored to join the Bowling Green State University women's tennis program as head coach and the Falcon family," said Williams. "From the very beginning, the support, energy and genuine welcome from the department made this opportunity feel truly special. I'm grateful to be joining a community that has embraced me with open arms, and I cannot wait to get to work building something meaningful with our student-athletes and staff."
This past season, Williams' coached Guadalupe Tocci and Maya Donkor who ranked as high as 12th this year in doubles in the ITA D-II rankings. During the 2023-24 season, Williams' coached two student-athletes to impressive postseason recognitions. Under Williams' tutelage, Alessa Maier finished the year 17-2 in singles play and was named ITA's Division-II National Most Improved Player while being the first All-American in program history and ranking as high as the No. 6 singles player in the nation. Maier joined a list that included two Player of the Year honorees and one Freshman of the Year from Williams' time at Clark Atlanta.
Academically, Maier's doubles partner in 2023-24, Milou ter Morsche, was named the conference Academic Player of the Year. As for the 2018-19 campaign, Williams mentored Valerie Ruiz who went on to be named the LSC Sportsmanship Player of the Year. Ruiz and ter Morsche highlight a long list of academic excellence under Williams that includes numerous ITA All-Academic Team members and four ITA Community Service Awards, including receiving the award in both 2025 and 2026.
In addition to her work on the court, Williams has been an active member of the tennis community. She has served multiple terms as the LSC Women's Tennis Chair & Co-Chair, spent time on the ITA Regional Committees and is a graduate of the NCAA Women's Coaches Academy. Additionally, away from the sport, she has served as a CASA volunteer since 2017, working as a court appointed special advocate for children who have been separated from their families.Â
Originally from Chicago, Ill., Williams earned her Bachelor's degree in mass media arts/journalism from Clark Atlanta University in 2004 and completed her Master's in Sports Athletic Administration from Coker College in 2015. She also holds a second Bachelor's degree in photographic imaging from the Art Institute of Atlanta.Â
She began her coaching tenure in 2002 as a tennis professional at Sugar Creek Tennis Center before becoming the head tennis professional at the PGA TOUR Superstore for Kennesaw and Roswell, Georgia in 2006, a role she held until 2012.Â
Follow the Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons' tennis team on social media.
Twitter – @BGSU_Athletics and @BGSUTennis
Instagram – 'bgfalcons' and 'bgsutennis'
Facebook – 'BGSU Athletics'
YouTube – 'Falcon Athletics'Â
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