STARKVILLE – Blue collar. It’s a term the Mississippi State family embraces.
Bulldogs love being the hardest workers in the room, the most resilient on the field or the toughest on the court. They don’t mind getting the Maroon and White garments dirty. In fact, it brings a smile to the face.
Well, everyone who loves or is associated with the MSU women’s tennis program can start smirking because the new leader of the Bulldogs is ready to build a blue-collar team that showcases State’s gritty, gutsy demeanor.
Chris Hooshyar was named Mississippi State’s head coach on Monday. After a decade at Auburn where he’s spent time serving as the right-hand man for both the women’s and men’s teams, Hooshyar hops across the state line to Starkville prepared and ready to take the Bulldogs to great heights precisely the way MSU fans like it – by getting after it. It’s the only way Hooshyar knows.
“I want my teams to be known for being blue collar,” Hooshyar said. “I want other teams to know when they play our team, they’re in for an absolute fight. We’re going to be physical. We’re going to fight to the end. And if you beat us, we’ll be the first ones to shake your hand because we’ll respect and know that if that happens, that you worked to beat us.”
It’s a blueprint that’s led to some of the most successful seasons in State history across the entire sports landscape and Hooshyar is set to implement the same scheme in women’s tennis. He seems to be just the man for the task, as indicated by his impressive background that’s already seen him excel both as a coach and former player.
“Chris is a dynamic recruiter and a proven winner in the Southeastern Conference,” MSU Director of Athletics Zac Selmon said. “He is a creative, innovative rising star in college tennis who has elevated every program he has been a part of as both a coach and student-athlete. His track record of leadership, relationship-building and student-athlete development on and off the court make him a terrific fit to lead our program. We are thrilled to welcome Chris, his wife Meagan and their daughters, Charlotte and Halton, to the Mississippi State family.”
Chat with Hooshyar – a Manchester, England, native – for any length of time and you’ll quickly discover why he’s a perfect fit for the Magnolia State. You might guess his roots were in the Delta…
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