Before Jacob Colledge could grip a racquet, he was clutching his mother’s finger. Now he is gripping clipboards and calling lineups with his mom by his side.
Head coach Jacob Colledge and his mother Miriam Colledge, who serves as his assistant coach, are leading the tennis teams together. Now, in their fourth year of coaching, the duo is serving up something special: a coaching partnership built on trust, a love of the game and a shared belief in the players they lead.
“Honestly, it wasn’t something we planned in the beginning,” Jacob Colledge said. “I stepped into the head coaching position first. I needed to look for an assistant, but no one could commit to the time demands, so I asked my mother if she would be interested. She agreed to help out. I knew she had some experience with the game and was good with children.”
Miriam Colledge, who previously coached varsity basketball, brought balance to the team. She brings the knowledge of a lifelong mentor while her son offers the strategy and technique needed for the sport.
This balance was shown during a district doubles playoff match last fall.
“I was focused on strategy and match ups, while my mom noticed one of our players was very nervous,” Jacob Colledge said. “She pulled her aside and gave her a reassuring pep talk, and that player came back strong and helped win a key match.”
It is not just about those clutch moments. Their day-to-day structure is what has elevated the program. Jacob Colledge leads the varsity squad while his mother works closely with the junior varsity players.
Coaching as a duo with this dynamic does not come without its challenges.
“We do not always agree,” Miriam Colledge said. “But we respect each other’s perspectives. If something comes up, we talk about it privately, away from the team, and always work toward a compromise that is best for the team.”
For Jacob Colledge, coaching goes beyond forehands and footwork.
“I have learned a lot about patience, empathy and the importance of listening from my mom,” Jacob Colledge said. “She leads with compassion, and that has taught me that leadership is not just about being in charge, it is about making connections.”
As the boys’ tennis season heads into its final stretch, the Colledges are focused on what matters most: developing players on and off the court and doing it together.
“It is not something we planned,” Jacob Colledge said. “But I would not trade it for anything.”
