Princeton University Athletics
Jean Desdunes Joins Women’s Tennis Coaching Staff
September 16, 2022 | Women's Tennis
PRINCETON, N.J. – Princeton University women's tennis Head Coach Jamea Jackson announced the hiring of Jean Desdunes as the Cornelia Drake and John Van Ryn Jr. '28 Assistant Coach Friday.
"I am beyond thrilled to have Jean join the Princeton women's tennis team," said Jackson. "He is one of the best coaches in the world and his experience is second to none. What an asset he will be!"
Desdunes comes to Princeton from the United States Tennis Association (USTA), where he served as a National Coach from March 2005 until June 2020. At the USTA he worked with private sector coaches on the USTA Philosophy, traveled with U.S. players and teams to international competitions, scouted and evaluated future prospects, and oversaw junior camps throughout the USTA sections and national campuses.
"It's a pleasure and honor to reunite with Jamea and to become a Princeton Tiger," said Desdunes. "I look forward to helping her continue the momentum of Laura's tenure and seeing the program reach its full potential."
From November 2003 until November 2005, Desdunes was the Multicultural Participation/NJTL Coordinator for the USTA Southern Section, and was a Tennis Professional at the Summit Chase Country Club from January 2001 until November 2003. Prior to that, Desdunes was an Independent Tennis Professional from August 1999 to May 2001.
At the college level, Desdunes served as men's tennis Head Coach at Georgia Tech from January 1988 until July 1998. During his 10-season tenure, he coached four All-Americans, 10 All-ACC selections, and was honored as the ACC Coach of the Year in 1988 and 1994. Desdune's first recruiting class won the NCAA Regional Championship in 1994. From September 1994 until September 1998, he served on the NCAA Division I Coaches Subcommittee, assisting the NCAA with rules implementation and assisting with the selection process to the championships.
Desdunes' first coaching job was as a USTA National Summer Travel Coach from June 1985 until June 1989.
As a player, Desdunes is a member of the Hall of Fame, was a two-time All-American and a four-time All-ACC honoree at Clemson. The Senior NCAA Player of the Year in 1993, Desdunes was a two-time finalist for the Asuna Award, the NCAA national sportsmanship award. A member of the ACC 50th Anniversary Team. Desdunes graduated from Clemson in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Administration Management.
"I am beyond thrilled to have Jean join the Princeton women's tennis team," said Jackson. "He is one of the best coaches in the world and his experience is second to none. What an asset he will be!"
Desdunes comes to Princeton from the United States Tennis Association (USTA), where he served as a National Coach from March 2005 until June 2020. At the USTA he worked with private sector coaches on the USTA Philosophy, traveled with U.S. players and teams to international competitions, scouted and evaluated future prospects, and oversaw junior camps throughout the USTA sections and national campuses.
"It's a pleasure and honor to reunite with Jamea and to become a Princeton Tiger," said Desdunes. "I look forward to helping her continue the momentum of Laura's tenure and seeing the program reach its full potential."
From November 2003 until November 2005, Desdunes was the Multicultural Participation/NJTL Coordinator for the USTA Southern Section, and was a Tennis Professional at the Summit Chase Country Club from January 2001 until November 2003. Prior to that, Desdunes was an Independent Tennis Professional from August 1999 to May 2001.
At the college level, Desdunes served as men's tennis Head Coach at Georgia Tech from January 1988 until July 1998. During his 10-season tenure, he coached four All-Americans, 10 All-ACC selections, and was honored as the ACC Coach of the Year in 1988 and 1994. Desdune's first recruiting class won the NCAA Regional Championship in 1994. From September 1994 until September 1998, he served on the NCAA Division I Coaches Subcommittee, assisting the NCAA with rules implementation and assisting with the selection process to the championships.
Desdunes' first coaching job was as a USTA National Summer Travel Coach from June 1985 until June 1989.
As a player, Desdunes is a member of the Hall of Fame, was a two-time All-American and a four-time All-ACC honoree at Clemson. The Senior NCAA Player of the Year in 1993, Desdunes was a two-time finalist for the Asuna Award, the NCAA national sportsmanship award. A member of the ACC 50th Anniversary Team. Desdunes graduated from Clemson in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Administration Management.
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