TULANE ATHLETICS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Coach
- Interim Head Coach
- Title / Assistant Coach
In between his times in Uptown Abdelrahman served as the head women's tennis coach at Louisiana-Monroe during the 2022 spring dual season. Abdelrahman helped guide the Warhawks to seven wins, including four Sun Belt Conference victories.
Prior to ULM Abdelrahman was an assistant coach for the Marshall women's team in the fall of 2021. He helped Emma Vanderhedyen win a singles championship and the team win a doubles championship at the College of Charleston Fall Championship.
Before joining Tulane as a volunteer assistant coach, Abdelrahman spent the four seasons at NJIT. In his first season with the Highlanders, he served as an assistant coach for both the men's and women's tennis teams in 2016-17. Abdelrahman then became the head women's tennis coach at NJIT beginning in 2017-18.
Under his leadership as the head women's coach and as an assistant for both the men and women's team, Abdelrahman helped the Highlander tennis programs earn three ASUN First Team selections, three second team honorees and four all-freshman team selections. In 2018-19, he also guided freshman Joleta Budiman as she won ASUN Freshman of the Year and competed with Holly Matson to win ASUN Doubles Pair of the Year.
Abdelrahman got involved with coaching when he was an undergraduate at University of New Orleans and is a member of the Egyptian National Team coaching staff since 2015 while also working for the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and Intercollegiate Tennis Federation (ITF) national teams.
At New Orleans, Abdelrahman worked as a student assistant and graduated in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He was also an assistant coach at Future Tennis Inc., in Baton Rouge in 2012.
As a player at UNO, Abdelrahman was selected one of the top six best players in the state of Louisiana in 2010-11 and named team captain in his junior and senior campaigns. Abdelrahman was a three-time ITA All-Academic Scholar Athlete (2010, 2011, 2013) and named to the 2013 Southland Conference All-Academic team.
He represented the Egyptian National Team (u12, u14, u16, u18) and ranked in the top 300 by the ITF (u18).
Job Titles:
- Director, Cross Country / Track and Field
Job Titles:
- Director, Sport Operations
Adrienne Brocato is in her 10th season as the Director, Sport Operations for baseball, bowling, golf, men's and women's tennis.
Brocato began working as a program coordinator for Tulane Athletics in August of 2017.
Prior to her current role, she served as an assistant manager in the athletics team shop for three years after nine years as a department manager for Barnes & Noble.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Director, Development
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Creative Services ( Graphic Designer )
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant, Athletic Trainer ( FB, Bowling )
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant, Business & Finance
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Director, Video & Broadcasting
Job Titles:
- Pitching Coach / Recruiting Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Ticket Sales
Atakan Gezer comes to NOLA from Division III powerhouse Washington and Lee University where he was an assistant coach for the Generals in the 2022-23 season. While in Lexington, he helped the Generals to a conference championship and regain their ITA national ranking, reaching as high as 25 th in the nation. He also helped coach a nationally ranked singles player who finished 26 th in the nation and a doubles pair who finished 19 th in the nation.
Before his tenure at Washington and Lee, Gezer spent time at Optimum Tennis Academy in Istanbul, Turkey where he had been a professional tour coach since October 2021 and spent most of the year on the tour with various players. Gezer also accompanied several of the professional Turkish tennis players on 4 of their Grand Slam appearances.
While at Optimum, Gezer led some of the Turkey's best ITF junior's tennis players to the rankings as high as 324 and coached them to qualify for U-18 Turkish National Team. Also, he assisted in the development of several professional performers training at the academy.
Prior to his work at the academy, Gezer served as a volunteer coach at the Enka Sports Tennis Club in Istanbul.
Gezer's playing career took off in 2011. As a member of the Turkish National Team, Gezer placed third in U-12 European competition, was crowned the U14 Turkish Champion, and achieved a career high ranking of 267 with an ITF Junior designation. He helped lead his high school team to two Istanbul Regional Championships and finished in the top-5 for three seasons.
Collegiately, Gezer played at Division II national powerhouse, Rollins College, in Winter Park, Florida. While playing for the Tar, he amassed over 30 wins in singles competition including multiple wins over regionally and nationally ranked opponents. In the classroom, the International Business major was an ITA Scholar Athlete and on the honor roll.
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant, Marketing
Job Titles:
- Run Game Coordinator / Outside Linebackers
Job Titles:
- Volunteer Assistant Coach
Job Titles:
- Director, Strength & Conditioning ( Olympic Sports )
Job Titles:
- Director, Clinical Behavioral Health
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Football Video
Job Titles:
- Director, Academic Advising for Student Athletes
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Equipment
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Services Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Director, Creative Services ( Video )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Creative Services ( Video )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Ticket Operations
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Coach
- Assistant Coach With the Green Wave
Chris Simpson's second season as assistant coach with the Green Wave for the 2016-17 campaign proved to be the best season in the post-Katrina era. The Wave went from 8-14 the year prior to 22-7 in 2017, marking the first 20-win season post-Katrina. The Green Wave also achieved post-Katrina firsts in two different categories: reaching a national ranking as high as No. 36 and producing the program's first top-30 ranked win via 4-3 upset over No. 28 LSU. The Green Wave also proved dominant at home, tallying a 13-2 mark at the City Park Pepsi Tennis Center. In addition, the Wave shown vast improvement in doubles, claiming the early 1-0 advantage in 22-of-29 occasions.
Furthermore, Simpson guided both junior Sade Atkinson and freshman Ivone Alvaro to all-conference seasons, with the latter being named The American's Co-Freshman of the Year. Tulane's two freshmen in Christina Sisti (18-6) and Ivone Alvaro (18-5) each produced 18 dual wins this spring. Continuing with the youth movement was sophomore Elena Muller, who led the Wave in victories, going from 9-8 as a freshman to 19-3 in 2017. The First-Team All-Louisiana selection was equally as impressive in doubles, where she not only knocked off two ranked pairs in No. 43 Foster/Valle Costa of LSU and No. 35 Granic/Wagland of Texas, but also achieved her first career doubles ranking (No. 76).
In his first season with the Wave, Simpson helped guide senior Ipek Birol to her first American All-Conference honor, while progressing junior Kyla Klier into the starting lineup to No. 2 singles (did not start as a sophomore). Simpson also guided freshman Elena Muller to a 9-8 dual record which led the team.
Job Titles:
- Director, Sport Operations
Job Titles:
- Director, Football Equipment
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach, Strength & Conditioning
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Strategic Communications ( MBB, SAIL, XC. BVB )
Job Titles:
- Director of Broadcasting / "Voice of the Green Wave"
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, on - Campus Recruiting
Job Titles:
- Director, Baseball Operations & Player Development
Job Titles:
- Director, Sport Operations ( Sailing )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach, Strength & Conditioning ( MBB )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Video & Operations
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach, Cross Country / Track & Field
Job Titles:
- Director, Football Player Development
Job Titles:
- Deputy Athletic Director, Student Services / SWA
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Director, Student - Athlete Enhancement
Job Titles:
- Faculty Athletics Representative
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Director / Director, Sports Medicine ( WBB )
Job Titles:
- Associate Athletic Director / Assistant Provost, NCAA Compliance
Job Titles:
- Co - Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Director - Equipment, Branding and Licensing
Job Titles:
- Director, Ticket Operations
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant ( GOLF, WTEN, MTEN )
Job Titles:
- Defensive Coordinator / Safeties
Job Titles:
- Special Teams Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Player Relations
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Athletic Trainer
- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( MTEN / WTEN )
- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( MTENN / WTENN )
Tokunaga joined the sports medicine team as an assistant athletic trainer in October 2023. Prior to Tulane, he spent over two years at Parkview Sports Medicine (Fort Wayne, Ind.) working with various patient populations including secondary schools and Fort Wayne Ballet. In Tokunaga's first year at Parkview Sports Medicine, he completed the CAATE accredited residency program, specializing in rehabilitation.
Born in Aichi, Japan, Tokunaga earned his bachelor's degree in sports science from Waseda University in 2018 and went on to obtain his Master's of Science in Athletic Training from Boston University in 2021. He has completed clinical experiences at Boston University, MIT and Indiana State University.
Job Titles:
- Defensive Recruiting Specialist
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Equipment
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant - Academic Services
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Development
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Facilities & Event Management
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Coach
- Title / Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach James McKie will begin his third season with the Green Wave for the 2017-18 campaign. McKie's first season in New Orleans paid immediate dividends for the Wave, as Tulane achieved their first top-30 ranking since 2005 and qualified for their first NCAA Tournament in the post-Katrina era. McKie also guided Dominik Koepfer to a historic season, as the senior was the first Tulane national champion since 1955, capturing the ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championship. Koepfer was also the program's first player to reach No. 1 in the Oracle/ITA national rankings, was a two-time NCAA All-American and the ITA National Men's Senior Player of the Year.
In McKie's second year, the Wave recorded post-Katrina bests in both wins (19-6) and in a national ranking (No. 20). Tulane went on to make its second straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament where they nearly upset No. 10 Texas in the second round, up 3-1 with six match points to possibly end it. Other post-Katrina bests included a perfect 11-0 record at home and a No. 30 national ranking to end the year. Under McKie's tutelage in singles play, junior Constantin Schmitz jumped from a career high ranking of No. 63 last year to No. 16 this season. Schmitz was also named the American Athletic Conference's Player of the Year and qualified for the NCAA Singles Championships. The Wave's three other returnees in the singles lineup, in Chi-Shan Jao, Sebastian Rey and Tyler Schick, all saw their winning percentages increase this spring compared to last season. In addition, senior Sebastian Rey achieved his first ever ranking this spring at No. 110. Meanwhile, Tulane's two freshmen in the singles lineup, Luis Erlenbusch (13-7) and Ewan Moore (16-6), each secured double-digit dual victories, with the latter being ranked at No. 125 midway through the season.
Before arriving to New Orleans, McKie completed two-year stint as assistant coach for the men's tennis squad at Fresno State. Along with head coach Evan Austin, McKie helped the Bulldogs compile 29 total victories over the two seasons, including a 16-10 record in 2015, a three win progression from the year before. In fact, Fresno State closed out the year ranked No. 65 in the country, marking their best finish under the coaching staff. The squad finished the regular season on a high note, winning 10 of their last 13 dual matches.
Prior to joining the Bulldogs in 2013, McKie played at Drake University from 2009-2013. During his collegiate career McKie reached a personal-high national ITA singles ranking of No. 68 and a doubles ranking of No. 16. He was named first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference and MVC regular season champion in 2011, 2012 and 2013. He also earned Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in his senior year. In 2013, as captain, he helped Drake beat TCU to advance to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Championships where they eventually fell to No. 1 ranked UCLA. McKie was also a NCAA participant in 2011 and 2012. McKie finished his collegiate career with an overall 204-82 record, leaving him with the third-most wins in program history.
A native of Edinburgh, Scotland, McKie graduated with his bachelor's degree in business administration from Drake University in May of 2013. In addition he gained his masters degree in Sports Administration from Fresno State in 2015.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Athletic Director, External Operations
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications ( FB, BSB, SWIM )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Facilities & Event Management
Job Titles:
- Athletic Trainer ( SWIM, SAIL )
Job Titles:
- Associate Athletic Director, Marketing & Creative Services
Job Titles:
- Director, Football Operations
Job Titles:
- Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks
Job Titles:
- Director, Strategic Communications ( FB, BOWL, T & F, WBB )
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant, Equipment
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Ticket Sales
Job Titles:
- Director, Sport Operations
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach, Strength & Conditioning
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Director / Head Football ATC
Job Titles:
- Associate Athletic Director, Development
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach / Hitting Coach
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant, Track & Field
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Director, Creative Services
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( VB, GOLF )
- Athletic Trainer ( VB, GOLF )
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, NCAA Compliance
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Creative Services ( Graphic Designer )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Video & Broadcasting
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Director, Development
Job Titles:
- Deputy Athletic Director, Operations and Capital Projects
Job Titles:
- Offensive Recruiting Specialist
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Development
Job Titles:
- Director, Sports Nutrition
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant, Creative Content
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Facilities & Event Management
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach, Strength & Conditioning
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant, Athletic Trainer ( FB, WTEN )
Job Titles:
- Coach
- Head
- Associate Vice Chair of the ITA Division I Operating Committee
- Director of Tennis and Head Coach
- Head Coach / Director, Tennis
Mark Booras was named head coach for Tulane men's tennis in 2008 and tasked with rebuilding a program that was discontinued for four years as a result of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Since then, Booras has orchestrated the program's improbable return to national prominence as a top-25 team in the country.
Booras joined Tulane from LSU, where he served as the associate head coach during his final four years and was an assistant coach during his first six seasons in Baton Rouge. He played a large role in the Tigers' success on the court, in the classroom and in the community. Booras' leadership was showcased in 2007 when the ITA named him its National Assistant Coach of the Year. He was also recognized in 2004 and 2007 as the best assistant coach in the ITA Southeast Region.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Facilities & Event Management
Job Titles:
- Director, Sport Operations
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach, Cross Country / Track & Field / Recruiting Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant - Business & Finance
Job Titles:
- Director, Women 's Basketball Operations
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Director, Ticket Sales & Service
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Student Athlete Development & Video / Assistant Coach
Job Titles:
- Director, Basketball Operations
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant - Equipment
Job Titles:
- Men 's Tennis Assistant Coach
Niall Fitzgerald enters his second season as the assistant coach for the Tulane men[apos]s tennis program. During his first season at Tulane, along with head coach Mark Booras, Fitzgerald helped guide the Green Wave to its best season since 2005 with a 12-8 overall record and a national ranking that peaked at No. 55. Fitzgerald joined the Green Wave staff straight from the University of Notre Dame where he received a degree in finance from the Mendoza College of Business. The Wicklow, Ireland, native was a four-year letter winner for the Fighting Irish and earned 62 singles wins and 58 doubles victories during his career. Fitzgerald was named the team co-captain prior to his senior season and was a two-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star. While in high school at Blackrock College in Ireland, Fitzgerald posted undefeated seasons as a junior and senior. He also earned the No. 1 ranking junior in his class in Ireland and claimed back-to-back U18 indoor titles.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach, Strength & Conditioning
Job Titles:
- Associate Athletics Director, Business Operations
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Football New Media ( Social Media )
Job Titles:
- Senior Athletic Trainer ( MBB )
Job Titles:
- Associate Athletic Director, Facilities & Event Management
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant, Video
Job Titles:
- Director, Strength and Conditioning
Job Titles:
- Manager of Business Development
Job Titles:
- Volunteer, Camp Director & Alumni Relations
Job Titles:
- Manager, Motor Pool Coordination & Logistics
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate Athletic Director for Business / CFO
Job Titles:
- Director, Volleyball Operations
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Director, NCAA Compliance
Job Titles:
- Athletic Trainer ( XC, Track / Field )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach, Recruiting Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Co - Defensive Coordinator / Inside Linebackers
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant - Academic Services
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach, Strength & Conditioning
Job Titles:
- Director, Game Presentation and Fan Experience
Job Titles:
- General Manager / Tulane Sports Properties
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Academic Advising for Student - Athletes
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant - Facilities & Event Management
Job Titles:
- Volunteer Assistant Coach
Zaki Abdelrahman joined the Tulane men's tennis staff as a volunteer assistant coach during the spring of 2021.
Abdelraham previously served as the head women's tennis coach at NJIT beginning in 2017-18 after spending the 2016-17 season as an assistant coach for both Highlander men's and women's tennis teams.