Urban Ljubic - Men's Tennis Coach - University of Minnesota Athletics

Urban Ljubic

Title:
Men's Tennis Associate Head Coach
Email:
ljubi001@umn.edu
Phone:
612-624-0829

Urban Ljubic is set to coach in his 14th season for the University of Minnesota Men's Tennis team under Coach Geoff Young. In addition to actively coaching during practices and matches, Coach Ljubic is primarily in charge of recruiting for the Gophers.

Coach Ljubic played a part in the Gophers having a hot start to their 2019-20 season, helping to coach the team to an 8-3 record with a 1-0 Big Ten record as well. However, the spring season came to sudden end for the Maroon & Gold on March 12, when the Big Ten and NCAA announced they were ceasing competitions and championships because of COVID-19 public health concerns. Despite this, the team was able to secure First Team All-Big Ten honors for Stefan Milicevic under Ljubic's coaching. The Gophers were also recognized at the annual Golden Goldy Awards, earning the title of Outstanding Academic Team amongst the universities athletic programs.

The 2018-19 season for the Maroon & Gold came to a close with the Gophers sitting at a final record of 16-10 with a 5-7 record in the Big Ten, but not before Minnesota received their third straight NCAA Tournament bid. Helping coach the Gophers to a ranked win over 19th-ranked Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Coach Ljubic was recognized by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association as the Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year. This marks the fourth time Ljubic has received this honor since 2013.

2017-2018 saw Minnesota return to the NCAA Tournament yet again, this time earning a spot in the Sweet Sixteen. Led by seniors Matic Spec and Felix Corwin, the Gophers cruised to a 17-9 record overall, and 7-3 in the Big Ten. Ljubic coached Spec and Corwin to All-Big Ten honors for the second consecutive season, with Corwin advancing to the Singles NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Second Round.

Ljubic helped coach the team to one of its best seasons in 2014-15 when they finished No. 21 in the nation, were undefeated at home and went 10-1 in the Big Ten to win a share of the conference title. Ljubic also won the ITA Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year award for his second straight time. Off the court the team was strong as well with all seven players earning Academic All-Big Ten honors along with winning the Outstanding Academic Team Award and the Men's Team Community Service Award at the Golden Goldy Awards.

Ljubic was highly responsible for the success the team saw during the 2012-13 season. After the team struggled at the beginning of the year, Ljubic helped lift the squad back to a 15-11 overall finish. The Golden Gophers banded together to go on a 9-1 run to close out the regular season in second place, Minnesota's highest placement since 2000, among the heavy hitters of the Big Ten Conference and earn its fifth-consecutive appearance in the NCAA Men's Tennis Championship. For his efforts, Ljubic was recognized by his peers and named the ITA Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year.

A native of Ljubljana, Slovenia, Ljubic came to Minnesota after spending two seasons as an assistant coach under Minnesota head coach Geoff Young at the University of Denver. He has helped the Gophers advance to the second round of the NCAA three times and has seen the team make seven trips--including five straight--to the NCAA tournament in his eight seasons at Minnesota.

Ljubic joined the Denver staff after a stellar three-year playing career for the Pioneers. Ljubic played No. 1 singles for most of his career and earned first-team all-Sun Belt Conference honors in 2002-03 after leading the Pioneers to a 16-10 overall record. Ljubic compiled a 43-34 career singles record despite battling injuries much of his senior season. His 43 career wins rank near the top all-time at Denver.

Ljubic, who was promoted to associate head coach prior to the 2009-10 season, has a bachelor's degree in international business (Denver, 2004) and also graduated with an MBA from the Daniels College of Business at Denver in June 2005. He received his master's degree in Human Resources Industrial Relations from Minnesota's Carlson School of Management in 2011.

Ljubic transferred to the University of Denver from Lees-McRae College, an NCAA Division II school in North Carolina. He achieved a top-five ranking as a junior tennis player in his home country of Slovenia. Ljubic resides in Minneapolis.