University of Minnesota Athletics
Kononov Announced as Assistant Coach
9/15/2022 4:52:00 PM | Tennis
Head Coach Catrina Thompson has announced the hiring of Jaan Kononov as assistant coach.
MINNEAPOLIS - University of Minnesota head tennis coach Catrina Thompson has announced the addition of Jaan Kononov to the coaching staff. Kononov has begun his coaching duties as the team is scheduled to begin the fall season, Sept. 16-18, at the Gopher Invitational.
"I am excited to welcome Jaan to our Gopher Family," Thompson said. "Jaan brings an impressive background to Minnesota and is going to be a great addition to our staff with his enthusiasm and passion for the game. Jaan also has experience not only as a former collegiate player himself but, also being a hitting partner for multiple WTA players and the valuable knowledge he has gained while helping coach the last few years at a top tier program."
Kononov comes to Minnesota after serving as the women's volunteer assistant coach at Pepperdine University since 2019. During his time, the Waves secured three West Coast Conference Tournament championship titles and made a run in the NCAA singles and doubles championship in 2022. Simultaneously, Kononov trained pro-level athletes at a tennis club in Los Angeles, Calif.
Prior to his time at Pepperdine, Kononov served as a graduate assistant at Grand Canyon while completing his master's degree in Leadership. At GCU, Kononov helped coach a top 60-ranked doubles team. The Antelopes also won the Western Athletic Conference championship and tournament with a 19-7 record in 2019.
Kononov, a native of Estonia, began his collegiate career at Armstrong State University in Georgia (2012-14) then transferred his junior year to University of Maryland - Baltimore County (UMBC) from 2014-2015.
Following his junior season, UMBC terminated their tennis program. Kononov competed his senior season at the University of San Diego (USD) from 2015-16. At USD, the Torero's won the WCC regular and conference title, as well as achieved the highest team ranking of 16.
"The University of Minnesota has national and international recognition in academics and athletics," said Kononov. "I am looking forward to working alongside head coach Thompson, learning from her and supporting the team. I truly believe that the University of Minnesota has great potential to be very competitive at the top D1 level. Also, Minnesota presents a very personal connection to me, as I have many relatives in Minnesota on my wife's side."
"I am excited to welcome Jaan to our Gopher Family," Thompson said. "Jaan brings an impressive background to Minnesota and is going to be a great addition to our staff with his enthusiasm and passion for the game. Jaan also has experience not only as a former collegiate player himself but, also being a hitting partner for multiple WTA players and the valuable knowledge he has gained while helping coach the last few years at a top tier program."
Kononov comes to Minnesota after serving as the women's volunteer assistant coach at Pepperdine University since 2019. During his time, the Waves secured three West Coast Conference Tournament championship titles and made a run in the NCAA singles and doubles championship in 2022. Simultaneously, Kononov trained pro-level athletes at a tennis club in Los Angeles, Calif.
Prior to his time at Pepperdine, Kononov served as a graduate assistant at Grand Canyon while completing his master's degree in Leadership. At GCU, Kononov helped coach a top 60-ranked doubles team. The Antelopes also won the Western Athletic Conference championship and tournament with a 19-7 record in 2019.
Kononov, a native of Estonia, began his collegiate career at Armstrong State University in Georgia (2012-14) then transferred his junior year to University of Maryland - Baltimore County (UMBC) from 2014-2015.
Following his junior season, UMBC terminated their tennis program. Kononov competed his senior season at the University of San Diego (USD) from 2015-16. At USD, the Torero's won the WCC regular and conference title, as well as achieved the highest team ranking of 16.
"The University of Minnesota has national and international recognition in academics and athletics," said Kononov. "I am looking forward to working alongside head coach Thompson, learning from her and supporting the team. I truly believe that the University of Minnesota has great potential to be very competitive at the top D1 level. Also, Minnesota presents a very personal connection to me, as I have many relatives in Minnesota on my wife's side."
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