HAMDPEN-SYDNEY, Va. --- Hampden-Sydney College Director of Athletics Chad Eisele has announced the appointment of Grayson Burns '20 as the College's new tennis head coach. Grayson was a four-year standout for the Tigers (2016-20), and has previously served as the assistant men's tennis coach at NCAA Division I Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana since 2022, following six months (spring competition season) as the assistant men's and women's tennis coach at Division I Radford University (2022).
 
"I am very excited to have Grayson back on the Hill," said Eisele. "His experience as a student-athlete at H-SC combined with his coaching at the D1 level are a great combination as we look to continue and grow our tennis success."
 
Burns helped coach the doubles team of Matej Panik and Jamieson Nathan at Montana State to an Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Top 25 national ranking in the fall of 2022, as well as having Bobcats Max Relic and Andras Necz qualify for both the ITA All-American Championships and the ITA Fall National Championships in 2023. In addition, he assisted in the design and execution of team and individual practices, coordinated all team travel plans and details, oversaw the team's annual budget and assisted in the scouting and recruitment of student-athletes.
 
"I am extremely excited to be back at Hampden-Sydney leading the tennis program," said Burns. "I want to thank Chad Eisele and President Larry Stimpert for their confidence in me to lead this program. This is truly a special place, with special people and a very special tennis program. I've been privileged to have relationships with the previous three coaches, and I'm humbled to follow in their footsteps. We will strive every day, as a team, to pursue championships and create a culture that develops good men and good citizens."
 
Burns helped coach Radford to the 2022 Big South Conference Men's Tennis Tournament Championship and the school's seventh NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Tournament appearance. RU's Demis Taramonlis was the 2022 Big South Men's Tennis Player of the Year, while the Highlanders combined for eight All-Big South honorees among their men's and women's teams.
 
Burns was a two-year team captain at H-SC and is tied for sixth in career wins with 91, including 45 in singles and 46 in doubles. He was 12-1 in singles and 8-8 in doubles as a freshman, earning Second Team All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) at number six singles. Burns was 17-4 in singles and 16-8 in doubles as a sophomore, earning First Team All-ODAC at both number six singles and number three doubles. He was 10-12 in singles and 13-13 in doubles as a junior, earning Second Team All-ODAC at both number four singles and number two doubles. Burns was 6-10 in singles and 9-8 in doubles as a senior, a season that ended prior to any ODAC competition due to COVID-19. He was also a Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) College Division Men's Tennis First Team All-State selection in singles and doubles in 2018.
 
A Waynesboro native, Grayson is a 2020 graduate of Hampden-Sydney with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and business. A Dean's List student, he was a two-time member of the ODAC All-Academic Team (2018-19, 2019-20).

What They Are Saying About New Hampden-Sydney Tennis Head Coach Grayson Burns '20 (August 27, 2025)

"I am thrilled for Grayson Burns as he embarks on his new role as the Head Men's Tennis Coach at Hampden-Sydney College. As his collegiate coach, I have witnessed firsthand his remarkable competitiveness and natural leadership while he was on the team. As an H-SC alum, Grayson is uniquely equipped to be a great mentor for the student-athletes of the program because he has proven to possess the knowledge and understanding of what it takes to achieve success both athletically and academically. Roll Tigers!!" – Wisconsin-Whitewater Head Coach Byron Balkin

"I'm very happy for Grayson to take the reins at H-SC. I am confident he can bring the program to the level it was when he was a player and much more. Can't wait to see what he accomplishes as a Head Coach." – New Mexico Head Coach Rob Bareford