May 3, 2012
Albuquerque, N.M. — Roy Cañada, who just completed his third season as the head women’s tennis coach at the University of New Mexico, has announced he is stepping down effective June 30. A national search to replace Cañada will take place immediately.
Cañada led UNM to an 8-13 record this past season, and a 1-6 record in the Mountain West, good for seventh place. Overall, Cañada leaves with a record of 17-49.
While Cañada was the head coach for just three years, he has a long association with UNM, dating back to his All-American playing days in the early 1990s. A three-time all-Western Athletic Conference selection, he was named All-America in doubles with partner Coulter Wright in 1994 and helped UNM win four straight Western Athletic Conference championships.
Cañada spent 11 seasons (1996-2007) as the Lobos’ assistant coach under Kathy Kolankiewicz before being promoted to associate head coach for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons. He was named Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2005. While an assistant coach, UNM went to the conference finals or semifinals every year from 1997-2009. New Mexico also earned seven NCAA Tournament bids during that time.
“We appreciate Roy’s contributions to the program both as a student-athlete and as a coach, and we wish him success in the next chapter of his career,” said Associate Athletic Director Tim Cass.
Roy Cañada on the sidelines during a match |