Tim Dunford enters his first season as head coach of the Cumberland University men's and women's tennis programs after being hired in July 2026.
A veteran collegiate coach with more than 15 years of head coaching experience, Dunford brings a proven track record of rebuilding programs, developing student-athletes, and creating championship cultures at both the NCAA Division II and Division III levels.
Most recently, Dunford served as Director of Tennis and Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach at Bluefield State University, where he quickly elevated both programs. In his first season, he guided the women's team to a historic 10-4 record and an undefeated mark in CIAA play. His squad produced the CIAA Player of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year, while Dunford was named the CIAA Women's Tennis Coach of the Year. He also revitalized the men's program, leading the team to a strong start in his second season before injuries impacted the remainder of the campaign.
Before Bluefield State, Dunford served as head coach at Tusculum University, Ashland University, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Brewton-Parker College, King University, Albion College, the College of Wooster, and Thiel College. Throughout his career, he has consistently inherited programs in transition and elevated them through strong recruiting, player development, and a student-athlete-centered approach.
Dunford's coaching résumé includes building two collegiate tennis programs from the ground up while producing conference award winners, nationally ranked singles players and doubles teams, and numerous ITA Academic Teams. His programs have regularly earned ITA All-Academic Team recognition, with countless student-athletes receiving ITA Scholar-Athlete honors.
He earned a master's degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine and a bachelor's degree in Sports Administration from Shenandoah University in 2005.
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