MINNEAPOLIS – North Central University head men's and women's tennis coach Carin Tuff announced her resignation following the conclusion of the teams' fall practice season. Tuff had been the Rams leader since October 2017, and leaves the program in good hands as NCU looks ahead to its Spring 2020 campaign. David Stabley, who assisted Tuff last year, has been named the new head coach for both programs, effective immediately.

Tuff's 2019 men's squad won more matches than it had the previous two seasons, a trend that also carried over to the NCU women's team as the Rams set a program best mark. Both the men's and women's rosters grew in both number and quality under Tuff's leadership, setting up for what should be an exciting 2020 tour.

Upon announcing her resignation, Tuff said, "I will greatly miss my peers at NCU.  Even more so, I will miss the time spent with my players as they are incredible young adults. I pray for great and positive strides for athletics at NCU in the days ahead!"

"I appreciate the confidence and stability that Carin's leadership brought to our tennis programs," said Greg Johnson. He continued, "She genuinely cared about her student-athletes, their personal growth, and their growth as a tennis player. I'm thankful for Carin's time as head coach."

Stabley comes into the NCU fold as head coach with significant tennis experience. Stabley played collegiate tennis at the NCAA Division I level, graduating from the University of Detroit Mercy with a bachelor's degree in biology before joining the Titans as a graduate assistant coach. He has since contributed to the game as a coach and instructor at multiple tennis clubs in his native Michigan. Stabley is currently pursuing a master of divinity degree with an emphasis in biblical exegesis at Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis.


"It was a privilege to join as the assistant coach for NCU Tennis last year, and that sense has only increased as I have transitioned into the role of head coach this season," said Stabley. He continued, "NCU's philosophy of coaching as stewardship is well-founded and one I wholeheartedly affirm. It is required of stewards that they be found faithful, and so my aim in this role is to do what I can to promote true and lasting prosperity for these students. I'm looking forward with anticipation on the coming season we have together."

On Stabley's hiring, Johnson noted, "David is a humble and grounded individual who has much to offer our men and women in both the game of tennis and the game of life. He was well-received as an assistant coach in the 2018-2019 season. I look forward to watching him live out his personal mission as our programs' head coach going forward."

Stabley and the NCU men's and women's squads will resume their practice schedule in late Janaury before starting matches in February. North Central's 2020 campaign will feature the full slate of Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) opponents in addition to a handful of nonconference bouts spread out through late April.