SEATTLE – Washington Head Coach Rahim Esmail is bringing a former Husky back home as Mitch Stewart, a four-time All-Pac-12 Team performer for the Dawgs from 2015-18, has been named Assistant Coach at his alma mater.
Stewart is not just a passionate Husky alumni, but also a Puget Sound native, as he grew up in Federal Way and attended Federal Way High School where he won the Washington 4A state titles in 2012 and 2013. A blue chip top-10 national recruit, Stewart stayed home to play for the purple and gold, where he went on to post a 67-36 singles record in his four years, earning All-Pac-12 Second Team status each season.
In his senior year in 2018, Stewart finished the year ranked No. 81, and was ranked as high as No. 57 during the season. He went 16-3 in dual play, and was named the ITA Northwest Region Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award winner. He was also a Pac-12 All-Academic Second Team pick as a senior.
“First of all, I want to thank Rahim and (Senior Associate Athletics Director) Kim Durand for this opportunity, it really is a special moment for me to rejoin the program I gave my heart and soul to as a student-athlete as well as to be back in my hometown. I’m eager to get to work with the young group we have returning and to really continue the legacy of Husky Tennis that I was lucky enough to be a part of. It already feels great to be back in the purple and gold! Go Dawgs!”
Stewart was the Assistant Coach at the University of Denver in 2021-22, helping the Pioneers to a 15-7 overall record and a Summit League title with a 5-0 record. Denver ended the year ranked 65th nationally and had a doubles duo end the year ranked No. 76, with James Davis earning an NCAA Singles Championship bid.
His first coaching experience was as the volunteer coach at Arizona in 2020-21 where the Wildcats advanced to the NCAA Round of 16.
“I am thrilled to have Mitch join our program,” said Coach Esmail. “Mitch brings the energy, passion, and intensity towards UW Men’s Tennis that will help our student-athletes grow each day. Mitch has a clear picture of what my direction of the program looks like and what kind of culture and structure we want to instill in our team – to add someone to our staff who cares about Husky Tennis the way Mitch does is a huge asset to our program and our student-athletes. Both Mitch and I are extremely excited and motivated to get to work with this young team of ours.”
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