SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga men's tennis head coach D.J. Gurule announced the promotion of
Cesar Vargas Rodriguez to serve as GU's Associate Head Coach.
Vargas Rodriguez has served as GU's assistant coach for the last seven years and has helped elevate the program to new heights.
"This is a testament to the hard work and dedication that Cesar has contributed to the Gonzaga men's tennis program," Gurule said. "He has built the trust and confidence within our team and the athletic department. We are very fortunate to have someone of his caliber on our coaching staff."
As an assistant coach, Vargas Rodriguez led the GU men's tennis team to their best dual record (18-6), best home dual record (11-0), and longest dual winning streak (8) in program history in the 2021-22 season. The excellent season saw the GU men's tennis program earn their highest ITA national ranking (51st) and ITA regional ranking (5th) in program history.
"I am deeply honored to take on this new role with our program," Vargas Rodriguez said. "My experience at Gonzaga has been transformative and I am genuinely grateful for the trust and support that I have received throughout my time here. In all, I have nothing but heartfelt gratitude to D.J. and our administration for the opportunity to be a part of the Zag family."
Off the court, Vargas Rodriguez has helped lead a team that most recently placed six student-athletes on the ITA Scholar-Athlete list. The team earned the All-Academic honor as a squad for the sixth consecutive year and 11th time overall since the award's inception in 2007. The program also had its first Academic All-American this past offseason with
Matthew Hollingworth given the honors.
Vargas Rodriguez is a veteran coach at the Division I level, spending three seasons prior to Gonzaga as the associate head coach at Elon University. During his time with the Phoenix, Elon amassed 45 wins and advanced to three-straight Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) conference tournament semifinals. Under Vargas Rodriguez's direction, Elon saw 14 all-conference selections including the 2018 CAA Player of the Year and 2016 CAA Rookie of the Year Felipe Sarrasague. Vargas Rodriguez also helped two players to earn CAA All-Academic honors during his time at Elon.
Vargas Rodriguez also spent time as an assistant coach with Georgia State during the 2012-13 season, serving as interim head coach during the fall of 2012. The Panthers posted a 15-11 overall record with a 6-2 mark in the Sun Belt Conference; Georgia State captured the 2013 Sun Belt Conference Championship in the team's first-ever appearance in the Sun Belt Conference Championships. The program collected a big win over then-No. 49 ETSU and qualified for the NCAA Championships. Georgia State finished the 2013 season ranked No. 61 in the nation.
Vargas Rodriguez played at Nebraska and served as co-captain of the Huskers while competing at the No. 2 singles and doubles positions during his final season. He graduated in 2004 with a degree in business administration, and he served as the graduate assistant for Nebraska for one season following his graduation.
