Westmont College Athletics

The Warriors won four matches during Elwood's first season back in 2024, before winning another pair in 2025.

Westmont Director of Athletics Robert Ruiz has announced the hiring of Chris Elwood as the next head coach of Westmont Men's Tennis. In doing so, Elwood will return for his 15th year at the helm, having previously served as the team's head coach for 14 years.
 
Elwood first coached the Warriors from 1993-97, and then again from 2001-09.
 
"We are thrilled to announce Chris as our next men's tennis coach," said Ruiz. "In a competitive pool of candidates, Chris stood out as someone with great experience, a strong vision for the program, and a compelling plan to build for the future.
 
"He has a deep understanding and appreciation for our mission in athletics and I am confident that our student-athletes will benefit from his impact as their leader. I trust that Chris will bring a well-rounded approach coupled with decades of experience. I look forward to welcoming Chris and his family back into the Westmont community."
 
Westmont Executive Director of Athletics Dave Odell added, "As I've gotten to know Coach Elwood more over the last decade I have been impressed with his thoughtfulness and ability to communicate. It is easy to see his commitment to our mission and values in how he lives his life.
 
"He will be a wonderful mentor to our athletes and an excellent resource for the rest of our coaching staff."
 
During his two tenures as head coach Elwood compiled a still-program record 140 wins, and now, Elwood will lead the Warriors as they begin competition at the NCAA Div. II level.
 
"It is with great joy that I return as the men's tennis coach," offered Elwood. "I feel like I am returning to a home I've never left. I am so grateful to the Westmont community, and the Westmont Tennis community. That group includes Mark Basham, who has done an exceptional job over the last 14 years to carry that torch.
 
"I am very excited to build upon what Mark and the rest of the community have done over the last 14 years."
 
As a Westmont student athlete from 1988-92 Elwood played at number one and two singles, as well as number one doubles. As a graduate in 1992, Elwood received the prestigious Dean's Award which is given to Westmont's most outstanding scholar-athlete. He received a B.A. from Westmont in both English and Philosophy. Months later, Elwood became the head coach of the men's tennis program.
 
"I was captain of the team my senior year," explained Elwood, "and then coached the team the very next season. That was an interesting transition, as I was the head coach of players who I'd played alongside."
 
This transition did not take long to provide dividends for the Warriors, as Elwood's teams peaked during the mid-nineties. Westmont won three-consecutive GSAC Championships from 1995-1997, leading to its highest finish in program history in 1997, when the Warriors finished third overall at the NAIA level. The club also had its only individual National Champion in program history that year, senior Riva DeSilva.
 
"That was a special time in history for Westmont tennis," reflected Elwood. "At that time we went from an average program to an elite program. That was a fun process with terrific teams. Riva DeSilva, Ashley Fickel are names that come to mind when I remember how special that first tour was."
 
Elwood left Westmont after 1997, before returning to coach the Warriors for nine more years in 2001. After leaving in 2009, Elwood has remained a prominent member of both the Santa Barbara community, and the local tennis scene. Elwood began working under Dr. David Winter at Providence High School in 2008, and has taught English and History at the school ever since. Along with teaching, Elwood has continued to be a local tennis pro at the Valley Club of Montecito.
 
For the last three years, Elwood has coached the girls' tennis team at Providence, as well as the beach volleyball team. This past season, the Providence girl's advanced to the quarterfinals of the Division IV CIF Tournament. In the years since leaving Westmont, Elwood has also earned a master's degree in Teaching and Curriculum design, with an emphasis in Biblical Studies.
 
In regards to his coaching philosophy, Elwood said, "I'm really focused on growing not only tennis players, but the person as a whole. My role is to help mentor the mind, body, and spirit. As a Westmont coach, I want to have a holistic approach towards coaching, where the guys will become a part of each other's families.
 
"The mind aspect is about ensuring players have multiple strategies to use against an opponent. Tennis is a mental game, and it involves so much strategy. I want to help teach players versatility, while also being aware of what their greatest strengths are. We want to stress the importance of positive self-talk and belief in one's self. We want our player's mental strength to be built on self-belief."
 
Elwood continued, "As far as the body goes, my job is to ensure we get the best of our players from a physical fitness standpoint, and that we prioritize their health on a daily basis.
 
"The spirit part comes down to the Westmont mission. We are here as coaches to mentor these young men spiritually, as they grow in their understanding of what it means to be a believer and child of God. On many levels, the core of what we're doing is centered on this."
 
Elwood takes over a Westmont team that advanced to the GSAC Championship this past April, and one that looks to continue taking steps forward as they begin competition in the PacWest.
 
"It's a great group of guys to inherit," ensured Elwood. "I had a chance to meet a good amount of the guys at an alumni event and I'm really excited about getting to work with them as we transition to Div. II.
 
"We're building towards being a competitive program at the Division II level, and 'Building' as a whole is a concept that's very important to me. We have a great core to build around and I'm excited to be a mentor in their lives on and off the court."
 
Elwood and his wife, Tabitha, have two daughters, Avala and Aza. Avala will be joining Elwood on campus this fall, as the recent graduate of Providence will be an incoming freshman for the Westmont Women's Tennis team.
 
Please join the Westmont Athletics community in once again welcoming Elwood and his family back to Westmont College.