ALJOSA PIRIC
DIRECTOR OF HIGH PERFORMANCE & RECRUITING, MASTER TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
Aljosa Piric’s (Al-O-sha PEEr-itch) journey in tennis began in Bosnia, where he picked up the sport at the tender age of 7. By 15, he was honing his skills at the renowned Le Pleiadi Tennis Academy in Torino, Italy. Later, he ventured to the Palmer Tennis Academy in Tampa, Florida, for further training. Upon relocating to Richmond, Virginia, he completed his high school education and pursued a degree in Business at the University of Richmond, graduating in 2000. During his college years, he excelled as a tennis player, leading the team as captain and dominating both singles and doubles at the number 1 position.
While his career initially took a path in finance, Aljosa shifted gears in 2004, transitioning to a coaching career at what is now Solaris Racquet Club in Stamford, CT. There, he nurtured and coached some of the region’s top junior players, eventually serving as the junior academy director.
In 2008, he joined Georgia Tech as an assistant men’s tennis coach, contributing to significant victories including a triumph over the University of Georgia and securing a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA tournament.
His coaching prowess was further evident when he assumed the head men’s tennis coaching position at Old Dominion University (ODU) in 2011. Over his tenure, ODU enjoyed remarkable success, boasting a formidable 37-8 record in his final two seasons. Aljosa’s leadership led the team to the Conference USA tournament finals, earning him recognition as the ITA Head Coach of the Year. Notably, during his time at ODU, his teams secured victories over prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Cornell, Penn, Yale, Rice, NC State, and many others.
In 2016, Aljosa assumed the role of head men’s tennis coach at the University of Miami, where he made a significant impact over the course of 8 seasons. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in guiding the Hurricanes to numerous top 25 NCAA rankings, showcasing the team’s talent on the national stage. Under his leadership, the team secured berths in the NCAA tournament on four separate occasions, a testament to Aljosa’s strategic acumen and coaching expertise. His years at the helm of the Hurricanes’ program not only highlight Aljosa’s NCAA success, but also highlights his ability to develop ATP players into successful student-athletes.
Throughout his tenure, Aljosa accumulated an impressive tally of over 100 wins as head coach of the Hurricanes. His team achieved victories over reputable opponents such as the University of Virginia, Duke, Florida State, North Carolina, and Notre Dame, among others. These victories not only underscored the team’s competitiveness but also solidified Aljosa’s reputation as a skilled tactician and motivator.
Beyond collegiate tennis, Aljosa’s impact extended to international competition. He captained Bosnia’s Davis Cup team, steering them to memorable victories against Finland and Lithuania, ultimately securing promotion to the next level of Davis Cup competition.
Aljosa’s journey is marked by a passion for tennis and a dedication to nurturing talent both on and off the court. His illustrious coaching career is a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence and the pursuit of sporting greatness. He looks forward to sharing his experience with both the players and coaching staff at TIA.
Aljosa eagerly anticipates the opportunity to share his wealth of knowledge and experience on the court with our TIA community. Additionally, he is poised to leverage his extensive network of NCAA coaches to further enhance the College Recruiting program at TIA, facilitating the development of aspiring athletes to reach their full potential.