Tulane Announces Maria Brito as Head Coach of the Women’s Tennis Program
Jun 27, 2017 | Women's Tennis
Becomes just the second head coach since the resurrection of the program in 2008
NEW ORLEANS – A new era has begun on the Uptown campus for the Tulane women's tennis program as Ben Wiener Director of Athletics Troy Dannen announced the hiring of Maria Brito as the Green Wave's next head coach. Brito becomes just the second head coach since the resurrection of the program in 2008.
"We feel very fortunate to add Maria as the leader to our women's tennis program," Dannen stated. "Her experience as both a player and coach at the highest level, and her demonstrated commitment to all aspects of an outstanding student-athlete, are tremendous assets for our program. Maria brings high energy and enthusiasm to New Orleans and Tulane University and shares our vision for Tulane women's tennis as a consistent top-25 program."
Brito arrives to New Orleans after spending the past four years as an assistant coach for the women's tennis team at Clemson. There, Brito helped lead the Tigers to 64 wins, including a 22-7 campaign in her first year in 2014 which led to a regular season ACC Championship.
Brito's tenure also witnessed four straight trips to the NCAA Championships. In addition, in both the 2014 and 2015 seasons, the Tigers qualified for the ITA National Indoor Team Championships and made NCAA Round of 16 appearances.
"First and foremost, I would like to thank Troy Dannen, Rob Bernardi, Mark Booras and the entire search committee for this incredible opportunity to join such a prestigious institution," Brito stated. "I am deeply grateful and humbled to be chosen to lead Tulane's Women's Tennis Program.
"To the Clemson Head Coach, Nancy Harris—thank you for your remarkable mentorship, and thank you to all the Clemson athletic department, staff and our players who have made my last four years such a great and wonderful experience."
Brito coached three ITA All-Americans in 2015, including the pair of Beatrice Gumulya and Jessy Rompies who not only won the ITA All-American Doubles Championships, but also reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Doubles Championships. Furthermore, 11 All-ACC honors were claimed under Brito's watch, in addition to her help reeling in a top-10 recruiting class in 2016.
Clemson also found a lot of success in the classroom during Brito's tenure in South Carolina, with 11 total ITA Scholar-Athlete awards being earned, along with the 2015 squad posting the highest GPA (3.58) in the past 20 years of the program.
However, Brito's stint as an assistant coach was not the first time she had found success at Clemson, for the Mexico City native played for the women's tennis program from 2004-07. With an All-ACC performance in 2005, Brito guided the Tigers to the semis of the NCAA Championships, along with a Round of 16 berth in 2007 and ACC Championships in both 2004 and 2007.
After her playing days wrapped in 2007, Brito went on to serve as a graduate assistant at Auburn University-Montgomery, working with one of the top NAIA tennis programs in the country. In fact, the Warhawks went on to win the national championship in 2009.
From 2010-13, Brito spent three years teaching at Franco's Athletic Club in Mandeville, Louisiana, working with some of the top instructors in the nation, before making her return to Clemson.
Lastly, Brito will take over a Tulane squad that is coming off of its best season to date in the post-Katrina era. Last year, the Green Wave achieved not only its first 20+ win season (22-7) since 2005, but also its highest national ranking (No. 36) and first top-30 ranked win when they upset No. 28 LSU.
"I am extremely excited for the future of the Tulane Women's Tennis program," Brito added. "I truly believe that Tulane has something very special and I can't wait to get started. Roll Wave!"
Career Path:
"We feel very fortunate to add Maria as the leader to our women's tennis program," Dannen stated. "Her experience as both a player and coach at the highest level, and her demonstrated commitment to all aspects of an outstanding student-athlete, are tremendous assets for our program. Maria brings high energy and enthusiasm to New Orleans and Tulane University and shares our vision for Tulane women's tennis as a consistent top-25 program."
Brito arrives to New Orleans after spending the past four years as an assistant coach for the women's tennis team at Clemson. There, Brito helped lead the Tigers to 64 wins, including a 22-7 campaign in her first year in 2014 which led to a regular season ACC Championship.
Brito's tenure also witnessed four straight trips to the NCAA Championships. In addition, in both the 2014 and 2015 seasons, the Tigers qualified for the ITA National Indoor Team Championships and made NCAA Round of 16 appearances.
"First and foremost, I would like to thank Troy Dannen, Rob Bernardi, Mark Booras and the entire search committee for this incredible opportunity to join such a prestigious institution," Brito stated. "I am deeply grateful and humbled to be chosen to lead Tulane's Women's Tennis Program.
"To the Clemson Head Coach, Nancy Harris—thank you for your remarkable mentorship, and thank you to all the Clemson athletic department, staff and our players who have made my last four years such a great and wonderful experience."
Brito coached three ITA All-Americans in 2015, including the pair of Beatrice Gumulya and Jessy Rompies who not only won the ITA All-American Doubles Championships, but also reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Doubles Championships. Furthermore, 11 All-ACC honors were claimed under Brito's watch, in addition to her help reeling in a top-10 recruiting class in 2016.
Clemson also found a lot of success in the classroom during Brito's tenure in South Carolina, with 11 total ITA Scholar-Athlete awards being earned, along with the 2015 squad posting the highest GPA (3.58) in the past 20 years of the program.
However, Brito's stint as an assistant coach was not the first time she had found success at Clemson, for the Mexico City native played for the women's tennis program from 2004-07. With an All-ACC performance in 2005, Brito guided the Tigers to the semis of the NCAA Championships, along with a Round of 16 berth in 2007 and ACC Championships in both 2004 and 2007.
After her playing days wrapped in 2007, Brito went on to serve as a graduate assistant at Auburn University-Montgomery, working with one of the top NAIA tennis programs in the country. In fact, the Warhawks went on to win the national championship in 2009.
From 2010-13, Brito spent three years teaching at Franco's Athletic Club in Mandeville, Louisiana, working with some of the top instructors in the nation, before making her return to Clemson.
Lastly, Brito will take over a Tulane squad that is coming off of its best season to date in the post-Katrina era. Last year, the Green Wave achieved not only its first 20+ win season (22-7) since 2005, but also its highest national ranking (No. 36) and first top-30 ranked win when they upset No. 28 LSU.
"I am extremely excited for the future of the Tulane Women's Tennis program," Brito added. "I truly believe that Tulane has something very special and I can't wait to get started. Roll Wave!"
Career Path:
- 2004-07: Student-Athlete at Clemson University
- 2007: Earned Bachelor of Science from Clemson in sport management
- 2008-10: Graduate Assistant Coach at Auburn University - Montgomery
- 2010-13: Tennis Academy Marketing and Promotions Director at Franco's Athletic Club
- 2013-17: Assistant Coach at Clemson University
- July 2017: Start as Head Coach at Tulane University
- Participant in NCAA Final Four (2004-2005) and Sweet Sixteen (2007)
- All-ACC (2004-2005), and ACC Champions (regular season 2004 and 2007)
- Most Improved Women's Tennis (2004-2005); Clemson University's All-Academic Team (2007)
- Student Athlete Advisory Committee (2005-2007); Clemson University Honor Roll (2003, 2005, 2007)
- Team Captain 2005-2007
- WTA: Career High Singles #516; Career High Doubles #448
- ITF Junior: Career High Singles #48; Career High Doubles #11
- NCAA D-I: Career High Doubles Ranking #6; Career High Singles Ranking #70; Career High as a Team #3
- 2003 ITA Southeast Region Doubles Champion with Julie Coin
Postgame: HC Ashley Langford - 11/17/25
Tuesday, November 18
Postgame: HC Jon Sumrall - 11/15/25
Sunday, November 16
Postgame: SPR Javion White - 11/15/25
Sunday, November 16
Postgame: RB Jamauri McClure - 11/15/25
Sunday, November 16
