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They fill a crucial role in every college program. They juggle multiple responsibilities and put in long hours behind the scenes. They arrive early to hit balls, they stay late to provide advice and they keep in contact with potential recruits.

They are assistant coaches.

Although they may not get as much attention as head coaches, they are highly valued by many.

In this edition of Meet The Assistant, we feature Princeton women’s assistant Nathan Thompson.

Why did you get into coaching?

I got into coaching because I had great mentors and coaches who had a positive impact on my life. Coach Chuck Kriese from Clemson has had a big impact on my playing career and my coaching career. Tennis has also taught me a lot about life, dealing with adversity, problem solving and being resilient.

What do you enjoy most about coaching?

I enjoy seeing players improve and achieving their goals. I love the game of tennis and think it is an excellent teacher of character. Being a coach is very rewarding because of the great relationships you can build with the players.

What is the most challenging aspect?

Recruiting is definitely challenging. It is highly competitive, which is great for the recruits. It takes a lot of time, consistency, and patience.

How much of your job is recruiting?

Recruiting is probably 75% of the job because it's something that can be done everyday. From phone calls to text messages as well as going to see recruits play in person, you spend a lot of time trying to find the right players for your program.

What are your strategies to identify recruits?

I look for how often the recruit plays tournaments, and how they compete when they are losing. I also look for individuals with positive attitudes on the court, and individuals with strong academic standing.

Best advice you would give to recruits?

Develop your game and get to the highest level you can in juniors and you will have the options of what college you want to play at. Don’t be afraid to play tournaments and compete. Do not pull out of the back draw. How you respond to losses can be a big sign to who you are as a player and how you respond to adversity. Have a great attitude on court. Who you are comes out in tough times.

What are your future aspirations?

I would love to have the opportunity to lead a program. I want to continue to develop players, and continue to develop as a coach.

About Ethos School

We are excited to have Ethos School as the title sponsor of the Recruiting 101 series of articles at TennisRecruiting.net.

Ethos School - Transforming Education for Athletes

Ethos School is an online school committed to preparing next-level athletes with next-level learning opportunities through flexible, high-quality courses in a faith-based environment. Our online platform offers over 100+ a la carte courses for 4th-12th grade students, allowing families the freedom to pick and choose what course(s) they would like their child to take through either a fully homeschool or hybrid model. To date, Ethos boasts an AP pass rate of over 80%, with student-athletes going to universities such as the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Dartmouth, Auburn University, and more.

One of the unique aspects of Ethos School is our commitment to providing a holistic educational experience. Our students participate in a live 1-hour video session with their teacher and peers each week. These sessions offer enriching activities, opportunities to ask questions, discuss coursework, and present projects.

We are thrilled to extend an exclusive offer to TRN recruits like you. If you decide to enroll your child at Ethos School, we will waive the $95 enrollment fee. Additionally, we will provide a complimentary Academic Counseling session with one of Ethos' Academic Deans to plan out your child's educational journey to ensure they are on the right path for college and beyond.

To learn more about Ethos School, please visit EthosSchool.org - or connect with them on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube, If you have any questions or would like to discuss how Ethos can meet your child's educational needs, please schedule a call here.

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About Rhiannon Potkey

Rhiannon Potkey is a veteran sportswriter with more than two decades of experience in journalism. Potkey has covered many sports at many levels and has a passion for finding great stories. Potkey has covered the U.S. Open, junior sectional and national events, college conference championships and Davis Cup matches. Potkey is currently Content Strategist for Tennis Recruiting. You can reach Rhiannon by email at [email protected].