Scott Handback was named Head Men's Tennis coach in July of 2024 after previously operating as the team's interim head coach. Handback has also served as the Director of the Professional Tennis Management Program at Methodist since 2019.
In 2025, Handback guided Methodist to a 13–7 overall record, including a 5–1 mark in USA South play. The Monarchs made a strong postseason run, advancing to the conference tournament finals for the first time since 2019. Three Methodist student-athletes earned All-Conference recognition, highlighted by junior Matthew Hurley being named USA South Player of the Year — the fifth Monarch in program history to receive the honor.
Handback assumed the role of Interim Head Coach in November of 2023 – in time to lead the Monarchs through their 2024 Spring schedule. In 17 dual matches, Handback guided the team to a 10-7 record, including a 4-2 mark against conference opponents. In three of the team’s wins, the Monarchs swept their opponent by a score of 9-0.
Under Handback’s leadership, the Monarchs earned the No. 3 seed in the USA South Tournament. His team handily defeated William Peace University in the first round, then narrowly missed the USA South championship match after a close contest in the semifinals. Three Monarchs earned All-Conference laurels under Handback in 2024, including first teamer Matthew Hurley and second teamers Wills Belser and Harry Crokam.
He previously served as Acting Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach at Lenoir-Rhyne University during the 2014-15 season, following the passing of legendary head coach Bobby McKee. From those teams he coached five All-Conference players, two from the men's side and three on the women.
From 2001-05, Handback was the Head Women's Tennis Coach at Queens University of Charlotte. While there he helped the Royals secure their first-ever NCAA Tournament victory (2001) as well as the team's first-ever ITA National Ranking (2005). From his teams, he had 12 total All-Conference selections.
A United States Tennis Association High Performance Coach, Handback has coached numerous junior players who went on to compete collegiately, including Mallory Cecil, the 2009 NCAA Division I Women's Singles Champion, and Thai Kwiatkowski, the 2017 NCAA Division I Men's Singles Champion.
Handback was the USTA/Southern Junior Davis Cup Coach (2004-05), USTA National Zonal Coach (1999-2007). He currently chairs the USTA/Southern Tennis Professional Relations Committee and is a member of the USTA National Sportsmanship Committee.
Certified by the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) and Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), Handback has completed the PTR Master of Tennis Performance and ITPA Certified Tennis Performance Trainer certifications. He is also an ATP/GPTCA Level B Certified Coach and RacquetFit Level One Specialist.
In 2020, Handback was named the PTR North Carolina Tennis Professional of the Year and received three awards from the USTA for events directed. In 1999, Handback was named the USPTA South Carolina Tennis Professional of the Year and won the Community Service Award by the USTA/ITA in 2004.
Handback graduated from Queens University of Charlotte in 1992 with bachelor's degrees in business and communications before earning his Master's of Education from American Intercontinental University in August of 2011. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Business Administration from Grand Canyon University.
Handback's Record at Methodist…
| Season |
Record (Overall) |
Record (Conference) |
Season Notes… |
| 2024 |
10-7 |
4-2 |
Three All-Conference selections |
| 2025 |
13-7 |
5-1 |
Three All-Conference selections / USA South Player of the Year |
| TOTALS |
23-14 |
9-3 |
|
