Mike Bonnell has been named the head men's tennis coach at Ohio Northern University. He will also serve as the facilities director for the athletics department and is the first full-time men's tennis coach in ONU history. Bonnell is an alumnus of Ohio Northern and played for the Polar Bears from 1990-1992.
"I want to thank ONU Athletic Director Tom Simmons, and the entire search committee, for trusting me with this responsibility," Bonnell said. "Opportunities to coach at one's alma mater don't come along every day. I'm excited to be back in the state of Ohio, coaching at the school that has meant so much to me."
He comes to Ohio Northern after serving as the head men's tennis coach at Methodist (N.C.) University, where he compiled an 80-27 record from 2011-16.
He was named the USA South Coach of the Year in 2014 after leading the MU to a 19-7 record and an appearance in the USA South Conference tournament finals. He coached one USA South Player of the Year, one Rookie of the Year and a total of 20 all-conference honorees. He was the Men's Tennis Chair of the USA South Conference and a member of the Atlantic South Regional Ranking Committee and NCAA National Ranking Committee.
Prior to coaching at Methodist, Bonnell spent six seasons at the helm of the Ohio Dominican men's and women's tennis programs. During his tenure with the Panthers, Bonnell led teams to postseason play every year and produced five nationally ranked players. In 2005, he was named the American Mideast Conference South Division Women's Coach of the Year.
"I have so many great memories from my time at ONU and I can't wait to start working with the team," he said. "ONU has a tradition of producing great tennis and we are going to work very hard to live up to that standard."
In addition to his collegiate coaching duties, Bonnell is a USPTA certified Elite Tennis Professional and has served as Director of Tennis for the Village of Pinehurst, Head Tennis Professional at Little Turtle Country Club, and Assistant Head Professional at the New Albany Tennis Center.
Bonnell earned a bachelor's degree in communications/public relations from Ohio Northern, where he competed on the men's tennis team and was ranked nationally as high as No. 9 in doubles.
He won the OAC title at No. 2 doubles three consecutive seasons from 1990-92 and currently ranks fourth all-time at ONU with an .851 winning percentage (40-7) in doubles play.
