Drake University men’s tennis alumnus and former assistant coach Ben Lott enters his first season as head coach in 2023-24.
“I am honored and privileged to have the opportunity to be the new Drake head men’s tennis coach,” Lott said. “This has been a full-circle journey for me having previously both played for the team and been the assistant coach. I couldn’t be happier to now be leading the program moving forward.”
Lott returns to Drake after serving as the head tennis professional and junior development coordinator at Des Moines Golf and Country Club since January of 2022. In that position, Lott managed all facets of the junior tennis program including clinic programming, tournament scheduling and staffing. He helped grow junior clinic programming participation by 30 percent since he arrived.
As an assistant under former Drake head coach Davidson Kozlowski from 2019-22, Lott shaped the recruiting direction of the Bulldog men’s tennis program both internationally and throughout the Midwest region. Lott helped mentor three student-athletes to national individual rankings while at Drake.
Prior to returning to his alma mater for the first time, Lott was a graduate assistant at the University of Tulsa under longtime head coach Vince Westbrook from 2016-19. He helped rebuild a Golden Hurricane team that lost four starters from the year before. Lott recruited the 2018 American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and was instrumental in Tulsa’s No. 25 ranking, which was its highest ranking in a decade.
“I would like to thank Brian Hardin and Megan Franklin for affording me this opportunity,” Lott said. “I would also like to thank my coaching mentors, Davidson Kozlowski & Vince Westbrook. Their help and advice have been invaluable to me in navigating my college tennis coaching pathway. I am very excited about the direction of the men’s tennis program both on & off the court. The support for the program has grown fantastically over the past few years, and I’m excited to further grow that support within the Des Moines tennis community.”
As a student-athlete at Drake, Lott was a three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference selection as he led the Bulldogs to three NCAA Tournament appearances. Lott clinched the doubles point in Drake’s first NCAA Tournament win over TCU in 2013 and he sealed the dual match victory in the Bulldogs’ second-ever NCAA Tournament win over Louisville in 2015. He ranked as high as No. 30 in the ITA singles rankings in 2015 and was a critical factor in Drake’s No. 16 team ranking in 2013.
“Having the relationships and connections that I already have with the current Drake men’s tennis team made this decision a very easy one for me,” Lott said. “I’m 100 percent confident that there are great things to come this year and I am excited to be on this journey with them.”
What They Are Saying About Ben Lott
“Drake got it right. Ben Lott is an incredible college coach and he loves Drake University. That is an unbelieve combination. Having coached Ben for four years at Drake and then working with him for over two years, I couldn't be happier and prouder to have him taking over and leading the Drake men’s tennis program. No one knows the game tactically and technically better than Ben. I have never been around anyone that studies and knows the game better than him. Every Drake Bulldog should be excited and realize how lucky they are to have Ben Lott leading the men's tennis team.” – Davidson Kozlowski, Florida Gulf Coast University head men’s tennis coach
“Selecting Ben as head men’s tennis coach shows the dedication of Drake's athletic administration to men’s tennis. Ben, one of Drake's best players over the last decade, bleeds Bulldog blue. While at The University of Tulsa, Ben was an instrumental assistant in recruitment and player development. He is a player’s coach and a fine addition to the young coaches that are coming into college tennis. Under Ben’s leadership, Drake is positioned to take the tennis program to the next level. This will be a program to watch.” – Vince Westbrook, University of Tulsa director of tennis
“Congrats to Drake for the hiring of Ben Lott. I have no doubt Ben will work tirelessly for the team and will show continued passion as he takes the lead of one of the most successful programs in Drake’s history.” – Robin Goodman, University of the Pacific head men’s tennis coach
