MCC Tennis Coach TJ Carter Steps Down

MERIDIAN - Meridian Community College head tennis coach TJ Carter has announced he is stepping down to pursue other career opportunities. Coach Carter will finish the season as head coach, but steps to find his successor will begin immediately.

Coach Carter said, "MCC has always held a special place in my heart, a cornerstone of my professional journey and personal growth. The thought of leaving was never on my horizon. However, life has a way of presenting paths we never anticipated. An opportunity has come my way, one beyond the realms of coaching, that I find myself unable to pass up. While this decision carries a heavy heart, I move forward knowing that MCC's impact on me is remarkable, and the memories we've created together will always be cherished."

Coach Carter took over for Simon Bardel in July 2020, and the MCC tennis program has flourished, demonstrating remarkable academic and athletic achievements. Over his four-year tenure, Coach Carter has guided the men's and women's teams to qualify for the NJCAA National Tournament for three consecutive years, a testament to the program's competitive prowess and the dedication of our athletes.

The accolades under Coach Carter's tenure include the recognition of two All-Americans, sixteen All-MACCC athletes, and seven prestigious ITA Award recipients. Notably, Will McCullough and Harper Bryan were honored with the National ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Ana Julissa De Mata earned the National ITA Rookie of the Year title. At the same time, Matthew Tennant was celebrated as the National ITA Most Improved Sophomore in 2021. Sebastian Hernandez was awarded the Region III ITA Most Improved Sophomore in 2023, adding to the program's success. Highlighting the 2023 season, MCC Tennis celebrated two All-Americans: Ana Julissa De Mata for the women's team and Sebastian Hernandez for the men.

Athletic Director Sander Atkinson said, "I appreciate Coach Carter's contributions to our tennis program over the last 4 years.  During his tenure, his teams accomplished a lot on the court and in the classroom.  I wish him well as he moves into a different phase of his professional life."

Before taking over at MCC, Carter served as an assistant tennis coach at Jones College for one season. Before joining the Bobcat's staff, he was an assistant at Hinds Community College for three seasons, where he won the 2019 ITA Region III Assistant Coach of the Year Award.

Before Carter began his coaching career, he was a member of the MCC Eagles tennis team under the direction of Hall of Fame Coach Wanda McPhail. As an Eagle, Carter was a back-to-back Region 23 championship runner-up team member and earned two national tournament bids.