Clay Allen was named the head coach of the Franklin & Marshall men’s and women’s tennis program on August 16, 2024. Allen brings previous head coaching experience to Lancaster, most recently spending the last three years as the head men’s tennis coach at Goucher College where he led the Gophers to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. He was also previously a head coach at McPherson College and has prior coaching experience within the Centennial Conference after spending three years as an assistant coach at Washington College.
“I am very excited to be back in the Centennial Conference where my collegiate coaching career started, and am ready to challenge the best coaches and best teams,” stated Allen. “My passion and care for these incredibly talented student-athletes will come out immediately upon my arrival on campus and I am excited to work with both programs to reach our team and individual goals.”
“Clay will bring a championship culture to our teams both on the court and in the classroom,” said Director of Athletics & Recreation Lauren Packer Webster. “His experience and passion for Division III both as a coach and student-athlete will be a tremendous asset as we look to build upon the past success of both the men’s and women’s programs.”
Honored as the 2024 Landmark Conference Coach of the Year, Allen led Goucher’s men’s tennis team to three straight conference championship appearances, capturing two Landmark titles (2022, 24). Goucher advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament during the 2022 season and made just the program’s sixth appearance at the NCAA Tournament following a perfect 9-0 record in conference play during the 2024 campaign. The Gophers went 21-2 in conference play during Allen’s three seasons and were ranked regionally during his final year in Baltimore. He mentored 17 all-conference selections at Goucher, highlighted by seven first-team All-Landmark Conference selections.
Allen’s first head coaching experience came at McPherson College (Kan.) where he led both the men’s and women’s teams. During the 2021 season, he guided the men’s program to a 14-2 record, the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) Championship, and an NAIA Tournament berth. The women’s program finished 10-5 and reached the KCAC semifinals during that same spring.
Getting his start in collegiate coaching within the Centennial Conference, Allen spent three seasons as an assistant coach with both the men’s and women’s tennis teams at Washington College (2017-20). During his time in Chestertown, Allen helped the Shoremen to a regional ranking and an appearance in the 2018 Centennial Conference semifinal while the women’s team also qualified for the conference tournament that same season. Allen got his start in coaching when he served as the head boy’s tennis coach at Oak Hill Academy (Va.) from 2015-17.
During his undergraduate career at Colby-Sawyer College (N.H.), Allen played four years and graduated with the fifth-most singles wins in team history (49) while leading his team to four consecutive North Athletic Conference (NAC) Championships and three NCAA Tournament Appearances (2013, 14, 15). Named Team MVP as a senior, he additionally earned All-NAC honors in singles during the 2012 (second team) and 2013 (first team) seasons. Allen developed his leadership skills as a three-year member of Colby-Sawyer’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee before graduating in 2015 with his bachelor’s degree in sports communications, focusing in media studies.
