Per Nilsson Hired as Women’s Tennis Coach

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida women’s tennis program went from AIAW classification to NCAA in 1981. Three years later, the Gators made a coaching change and hired Andy Brandi, who over the next 17 seasons won three national championships and 13 Southeastern titles. When Brandi retired, he was replaced by Roland Thornqvist, who over his 23 years won four NCAAs and 12 SECs before stepping down earlier this month. 
 
That’s 40 years, seven national championships and 24 league crowns. 
 
“And just two coaches,” Per Nilsson said. 
 

Nilsson now makes three and his plan is to be as wildly successful as his two predecessors after being named to the UF post Tuesday. Nilsson, 52, comes by way of Pepperdine, where his teams won every possible West Coast Conference regular-season and tournament title over his 10 seasons, reached the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals seven times, the semifinals twice and played for a national championship in 2021. 
 
On Tuesday, Nilsson spoke with UF interim coach Jeremy Bayon, who will be retained as associate head coach, along with assistant Samantha Mannix. He’s expected in town Monday to meet with his new team. 
 
“I like competitive pressure,” said Nilsson, a native of Lund, Sweden with a career coaching record of 306-124. “To win, you have to be around people who want to win as much as you do and the people at Florida want to win. That kind of pressure is good. Our players will have pressure, as well, and that’s one of the things I’m looking forward to the most.”
 
Nilsson averaged 22.5 wins over his nine full seasons with the Blue Wave women (one Covid-impacted season was limited to 12 matches) and finished with a 211-48 mark while playing some of the most difficult non-conference schedules in the country. Before that, Nilsson was men’s coach for seven seasons at his alma mater of Mississippi State – he still ranks No. 10 on the all-time career victory list in both singles and doubles – where he led the Bulldogs to four NCAA berths and twice guided them to as high as a No. 11 final ranking. 
 
He brings a track record for success, as well as SEC pedigree, to a Florida program that is looking to climb back into national prominence. The Gators have not won the SEC since 2016 and last won the national title in 2017. 
 
“We’re thrilled to welcome Per, who has proven to be a highly competitive, developmental-focused coach,” Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin…