Oklahoma State announced that head coach Chris Young will not return to the women’s tennis team.
In an ongoing update surrounding the NCAA’s lawsuit over recruiting violations involving Oklahoma State’s women’s tennis program, the university’s athletic department has announced that head coach Chris Young will not be returning for the 2025-26 season.
Chris Young, head coach of Oklahoma State’s women’s tennis team, was found by the NCAA to have violated multiple recruiting rules, including contacting athletes before they officially entered the transfer portal, using current team members to relay messages, and failing to understand or follow proper transfer contact regulations. Though Young was initially set to face only a two-match suspension to start the upcoming season, he will now not return for the 2025-26 campaign.
Despite Young’s departure, Oklahoma State still faces a series of penalties stemming from the NCAA’s investigation. The university will be required to pay a \$35,000 fine plus 1% of the women’s tennis program’s annual budget. Additionally, the program must reduce its official visits by 18% compared to its four-year average and will be barred from hosting unofficial visits for a 10-week period during spring 2025—a move that could significantly impact recruiting.
A press release revealed that Young’s lack of cooperation during the investigation worsened the situation. The NCAA deemed Oklahoma State’s infractions as Level I-Mitigated, while Young’s were classified as Level I-Standard. Although the violations were originally Level II, Young’s refusal to submit all relevant electronic communications and his efforts to persuade a student-athlete to withhold information elevated the case to Level I.
As the Cowgirls look for a permanent replacement, assistant coach Henner Nehles will take over as interim head coach while the team continues preparations for the 2025-26 season.
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