Tennis Coaches

Bad Dawg Management Team

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Coach Christopher Brown (Director, Owner)

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  • Owned, founded and designed a 12-court & $7 million tennis facility in Frisco, Lakes Tennis Academy, where professional players and top juniors trained
  • Coached professional players in the Top 100 in the world, including the world’s top-ranked junior
  • Trained approximately 100 nationally ranked junior players
  • Traveled to Grand Slam events (French Open, U.S. Open) with professional players
  • Played #2 for Texas A & M University
  • USPTA Certified at highest level (Elite)

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Coach David Gray (Denton Program Director and Owner)

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  • Attended Both Baylor University and University of North Texas
  • *Division collegiate head coach at University of North Texas, winning record 6 of 7 years & was named conference Coach of Year
  • Tournament Director for 10 professional events, including tournaments featuring Maria Sharapova and numerous Top 100 players
  • Previously Ranked # 1 in state in doubles in age division
  • Tied world record for longest doubles match (over 5 days) during a charity event, playing around the clock through thunderstorms and lightning
  • Coach Gray is known for his tennis racket juggling at parades and during class breaks

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Luis Valdez (Denton Program Operations Manager)

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  • USPTA Certified Pro for over 30 years, and a Pickleball Certified Pro.
  • He also served as one of the USTA Texas coaches for the Junior Excellence
  • Development Program and specialized in the Psychological well-being of an athlete.
  • Luis serves as the Chair of the National Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Committee for USTA.
  • He has also served on the Executive Board for USTA Texas and as Chair of the Hispanic Engagement Committee.

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Cody Smith (Head Pro/Director of Flower Mound Jr Development)

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  • USPTA certified professional, starting 15th year of coaching
  • Played college tennis at Ventura College
  • Third generation coach with my grandfather in the High School Texas Tennis Coach Hall of Fame, and my father winning 2 Texas State Championships in football.

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Coach Yvonne (Head Tennis Pro)

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  • Yvonne has been working for Bad Dawg Tennis for more than a decade.
  • Loving mother and grand mother with a very nurturing attitude when it comes to working with the juniors!
  • Works with TCD Ladies’ Teams in the Flower Mound and Highland Village areas as well.

 

 

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Coach Grant Workman (Director of Player Development)

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  • Former Head Tennis Professional at Advantage Kids, with over 8 years of dedicated service teaching and managing programs across 7 regions, making a positive impact on more than 500 children annually.
  • USPTA Certified Tennis Professional, specializing in coaching players of all ages and skill levels, with a track record of fostering growth and excellence.
  • Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee (Gilford, New Hampshire), recognized for outstanding achievements in golf, tennis, and significant contributions to the community.