Todd brings a unique combination of playing excellence, coaching success, and a deep understanding of the OUAZ culture. Having served as an assistant coach from 2023 to 2025 and previously as a standout student-athlete from 2017 to 2022, Todd's impact on the program has been felt both on and off the court.

"It is a privilege to welcome Austin Todd back into the spirit family of coaches," said Director of Athletics Kevin Steele. "Austin knows us well from his time as a player and then as an assistant coach and now as our new head coach. Austin was a part of building our first conference championship team and he brings enthusiasm and a desire to help young people grow spiritually academically and athletically."

During his time as OUAZ's assistant tennis coach, Todd helped guide the women's program to unprecedented success. The Spirit earned their first-ever appearance at the NAIA National Championships, captured the program's first ITA Fall Championship, and secured the first Great Southwest Athletic Conference Championship in school history. He also played a key role in developing numerous All-GSAC performers and nationally ranked student-athletes.

As a student-athlete, Todd established himself as one of the greatest players in OUAZ tennis history. He graduated as the program's all-time leader in match victories in both singles and doubles competition. During his collegiate career, he achieved a Top-50 national ranking in singles and a Top-25 national ranking in doubles within the NAIA.

A native of Goodyear, Arizona, Todd's success on the court began long before his collegiate career. Competing for Millennium High School, he won the 2017 AIA State Doubles Championship after posting third-place finishes in 2015 and 2016. He was also recognized as the 2017 Section Player of the Year.

"I'm incredibly excited for this opportunity to come back to my alma matter and grateful for the trust that OUAZ has always had in me," said Todd. "I'm looking forward to building something lasting with our players, our athletic department, and the entire Surprise community. There's a lot of work ahead, and I can't wait to get started."

In addition to his collegiate experience, Todd has built an impressive résumé in player development throughout Arizona. A PTR-certified tennis instructor, he has worked at premier tennis facilities including The Wigwam, Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex, and Camelback Village. Throughout his coaching career, he has worked with more than 50 AIA state qualifiers and helped numerous junior players earn opportunities to compete at both the NCAA and NAIA levels.

Todd has also coached USTA, WITL, and ATA league teams throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area, leading multiple teams to sectional and national-level competition. His expertise and reputation within the tennis community have earned him opportunities to coach USTA national-level clinics.

His coaching philosophy is centered on long-term player development, strong fundamentals, and creating an environment that is both challenging and enjoyable, allowing student-athletes to maximize their potential both on and off the court.

"Austin comes from a rich heritage of coaches in his own family, and I expect him to be a rising star among American tennis coaches," Steele said. "It will be exciting to see where he leads our programs as he builds on Coach Murphy's prior outstanding work."

Todd earned both his Bachelor of Arts in Communications and his Master of Business Administration in Leadership Development from Ottawa University Arizona. As a proud OUAZ alumnus, he now takes the reins of the program where he established himself as one of the university's all-time greats and helped lead its rise as a coach.