A new era for Eastern Michigan Tennis
On June 4, 2026, Eastern Michigan University announced a pivotal shift for its women's tennis program with the appointment of Jeff Westmeyer as head coach. Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee selected the Toledo, Ohio, native to lead the Eagles, citing his "proven record of success" and "strong ties to this region". Westmeyer arrived in Ypsilanti following an era-defining tenure at the University of Findlay, where he transitioned a developing program into a legitimate national contender. Wetherbee noted that Westmeyer "checked all the boxes" for the university, specifically highlighting his ability to build for long-term success while maintaining a rigorous commitment to student-athlete development.
The architect of Findlay’s rise
Westmeyer’s journey to EMU was paved by eight years of unprecedented achievement at the University of Findlay. After joining the Oilers as an assistant in 2018, he assumed the role of head women's coach in 2020 and was eventually elevated to Director of Tennis in 2025, overseeing both the men's and women's programs. His impact was immediate and profound; under his guidance, the women’s team amassed a 98-35 overall record and a dominant 42-6 mark in conference play. Westmeyer departs Findlay as the winningest women’s tennis coach in that program's history, having secured 89 of his 101 career wins with the women's squad.
The historic 2026 campaign
The 2026 season served as the pinnacle of Westmeyer’s coaching career thus far, setting a high bar for what he intends to bring to Eastern Michigan. Under his leadership, Findlay established a school record with 22 victories and a perfect 9-0 conference record, sweeping both the regular season and tournament championships. For the first time in school history, the Oilers advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship site in Phoenix, Arizona, where they reached the national quarterfinals. This historic run propelled Findlay to a program-best No. 4 national ranking and solidified Westmeyer’s reputation as one of the country's premier program builders.
Developing elite talent and character
Westmeyer’s coaching philosophy extends beyond team trophies to individual excellence. Throughout his time at Findlay, he developed 12 First Team All-Conference selections, 13 Second Team honorees, and three conference Freshman of the Year recipients. His ability to refine technical skills is evidenced by his development of four nationally ranked singles players and five nationally ranked doubles teams, including a pairing that reached as high as No. 2 in the nation.
Crucially, this on-court success never came at the expense of academics. Westmeyer’s teams consistently excelled in the classroom, maintaining a team GPA of at least 3.73 in every season of his head coaching tenure. This holistic approach to coaching, balancing elite athletic performance with academic integrity, was a primary factor in EMU's decision to bring him on board.
Deep roots in the Mid-American Conference
For Westmeyer, the move to Eastern Michigan is a homecoming to the Mid-American Conference (MAC). As a former standout player at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), Westmeyer earned First Team All-MAC honors, served as team captain, and set a school record for doubles victories. His coaching pedigree also includes significant Division I experience at the University of Virginia, the University of Toledo, and Michigan State University. This extensive regional knowledge and experience with high-level recruiting provide him with a strategic advantage as he takes the reins at EMU.
A vision for the future in Ypsilanti
As Westmeyer transitions to Eastern Michigan, his mission is clear: to build a program that graduates players while competing with "ferocity". He expressed deep appreciation for the commitment shown by EMU’s leadership, including President Kelly and Associate AD Stacie McMullen, toward the student-athlete experience. "We will have a program that will practice and compete with ferocity, representing Eastern Michigan University on and off the court in a manner you can be proud of," Westmeyer stated. With a proven ability to increase program resources, exemplified by his success in growing Findlay’s annual fundraising from $1,000 to over $15,500, Westmeyer is poised to provide the stability and leadership necessary to elevate EMU women's tennis to the top of the MAC.
