University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Zubin Engineer Reflects on Reaching 100-Win Milestone with Men's Tennis Program
3/2/2021 9:49:00 AM | Men's Tennis
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Golden Eagles had an impressive debut match versus Conference USA foe UAB this weekend clinching a 4-3 victory over the Blazers. The victory marked a historical milestone for both head coach Zubin Engineer and the Golden Eagles.
Engineer's .660 winning percentage ranks second in program history, and he holds two of the top three-highest single-season winning percentages at the school as well. Since hired as the men's tennis head coach in 2013, Engineer has notched six consecutive winning seasons, advanced to two C-USA Championship semifinals and enjoyed 14 Conference USA victories.
"Success begins in practice," said Engineer. "It is my philosophy to cultivate maximum effort and instill the right attitude in practice. My players find success in matches when they practice with attitude and purpose."
In 2017 and 2018, Engineer coached the Golden Eagles to two standout years having two top ten team single-season records. The 2017 performance saw the most consecutive team wins since 1982. The team's record ended with 20+ wins and a record of 21-5. The record-breaking season included winning the Conference USA West showcase with wins over UTSA, Rice and UAB.
Engineer is a member of the ITA Southern Regional Coaches Committee. During his eight years at Southern Miss, he has recruited highly-qualified student-athletes from across the globe bringing in competitors from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
"We recruit on a global scale," said Engineer. "We have found success in many countries where players are honored to represent Southern Miss and identify with our mission."
Engineer played an important role in recruiting ITF Junior World No. 79 from Thailand who played in the U.S. Open Junior Event. He also brought in one of the top recruits in the nation from India, who was No. 658 on the ATP Tour. Through the years, several top nationally-ranked players from Thailand, England, Ecuador, Morocco, Chile, Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, France, Romania, Indonesia, Malaysia and India were part of the men's tennis roster.
Over the course of his career coach has seen made many historical memories for Southern Miss. In his first season as head coach he brought the Golden Eagles to the conference championship and the Golden Eagles won their first-round match in the Conference USA Championship with a 4-3 win over Old Dominion to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2010. He has defeated power five competitor No. 77 Arizona 4-1, emerged victorious over No. 71 South Alabama and has notched the first Men's Tennis victory over Conference USA Champions Rice University in Southern Miss history.
Engineer has coached Wen-Po Tseng to an undefeated singles Individual record of 15-0. This is the only undefeated singles record in Southern Miss Men's Tennis history. Jorman Reyes set two school records with two 11-match win streaks. Reyes now sits at No. 2 in Golden Eagles history and finished the season 22-2 overall.
The men's team was ranked eighth in the final southern regional rankings after posting a 16-9 record, marking back-to-back seasons with 15 or more wins during the season. Six Golden Eagles recorded 10 or more wins during the season. Under his leadership five Golden Eagles earned C-USA Player of the Week honors.
"Accomplishments derive from a collective effort," Engineer said. "I receive incredible support from my assistant coach Abhijeet Tiwari, the athletic department, as well as my family. I have found success because we all come together as one unit and work together collectively."
Success in the classroom is another feat Engineer is very proud to accomplish. The Southern Miss men's tennis squads earned Conference USA Academic Awards for the 2013-14 season. The Sport Academic Award is given to the team in each conference-sponsored sport with the highest GPA for the academic year. The Southern Miss men's tennis team squad had a 3.647 GPA. In addition, the 2020 men's tennis team has claimed seven ITA academic honors. The group marked the most in the most in coach Zubin Engineer's eight-year Southern Miss tenure.
Engineer looks back fondly on his experience at Southern Miss but places his emphasis and importance on what the Golden Eagles can accomplish this season.
Engineer continues his eighth season as head coach this Saturday, March 6 at 2:00 p.m. versus Jacksonville State University at Jacksonville State.
