HAMILTON – The Colgate University tennis program is splitting its men's and women's tennis head coaching responsibilities, Vice President and Director of Athletics Yariv Amir '01 announced Monday.

With the decision, the current head coach of both programs Bobby Pennington, who just completed his 19th season at the helm, will continue as the head of the men's program. A national search for the first women's head coach in program history is underway. 

"The realities of tennis coaching and scheduling have effectively meant that Bobby and his assistants have often had to split time working with each team," said Amir. "Bobby and our administrative team have been discussing this possibility for some time and transition among our assistant coaches has allowed us to restructure the program's staffing model. We believe this new structure will provide each team the opportunity to grow, develop, and flourish, under the leadership of a dedicated head coach."

Pennington has been the head coach of both the men's and women's tennis teams at Colgate since July 2006. As of the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, he accumulated a total of 337 career wins across both programs. Specifically, his 175 wins on the men's side are third most in program history while his 162 victories on the women's side are second most. 

With the completion of the 2024-25 women's tennis season, Pennington matched Joe Abrahamson as the longest tenured head coach in women's program history at 19 years. He has coached a Patriot League Player of the Year, two Rookies of the Year, and more than 32 All-Patriot League and Academic All-League performers in his tenure with the program. 

During Pennington's tenure, the men's and women's programs have advanced to the Patriot League quarterfinals each year in addition to 11 total semifinal appearances – four on the men's side and seven with the women's program. 

"This is a huge step for the tennis programs," Pennington said. "I am grateful to Yariv Amir and Mark Wheeler for all their help and guidance in the process. "It is definitely a bittersweet feeling as after 19 years being the head coach for both programs, I will really miss coaching our women. In the last five seasons their level and culture has risen dramatically and they are poised to do big things ahead in the conference.

"However, this move enables me to really dig in and focus on one team for the first time and our men are coming off an outstanding season. We have an outstanding recruiting class incoming with multiple three- and four-star players. I am ecstatic to be the head coach here for five more years taking me to 25 years total. The future is very bright for Colgate Tennis."

Pennington also is the director of the Colgate Nike Tennis Camps, which started in 2011, and has been a certified USPTR Professional since 2001. He is a former member of the ITA Division I Men's Northeast Rankings Committee and a past member of the Hamilton Chapter of the Rotary Club.

During his collegiate student-athlete days, Pennington was part of "The Streak" – one of the most amazing dynasties in collegiate athletics. His alma mater, Kalamazoo College in Michigan, won 78 consecutive conference men's tennis championships dating to 1936.

Pennington was captain his senior season of 2001 and part of an All-America doubles team with partner Andrew Minnelli. He was a Rolex ITA finalist in the fall of 2000 and ranked in the top 20 nationally in doubles. Pennington and the Hornets advanced all four years to the NCAA tournament.