Eduardo Rincon has been hired as the assistant coach for the University of Arkansas men’s tennis team, it was announced Friday by head coach Robert Cox. A threetime All-American as a player at Valdosta State, Rincon also brings previous coaching experience as he served as the assistant coach for the University of Alabama women’s program.

“ I am very fortunate to have Eduardo join the Arkansas tennis staff, ” Cox said. “ He has the experience of coaching in the SEC and has proven himself as a tremendous player during his collegiate career, so I’m very excited about having Eduardo here and the success we’ll have as a program. ”

During his three seasons at Alabama, Rincon was instrumental in guiding the Crimson Tide to an appearance in the NCAA Championships and a top-40 final season ranking. He helped guide the team to a berth in the 2006 NCAA Championships, a year in which the team finished the season with a No. 39 national ranking.

“ It is a tremendous opportunity to be a part of the University of Arkansas and the community of Fayetteville, ” Rincon said. “ I’m very grateful to Coach Cox and the University for the opportunity they have given me. I’m looking forward to start working right away and achieving all the goals of the program. ”

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Under Rincon’s tutelage, Robin Stephenson and Ashley Bentley earned first-team All-SEC honors, while Mari Muller was named to the allconference second team in 2006. Robinson received an invitation to the 2006 NCAA Singles Championship and she teamed with Bentley to earn a spot in the NCAA Doubles Championship that same season. Stephenson finished the year with a No. 24 singles ranking, while she and Bentley were No. 18 in the final ITA doubles rankings.

He added another allconference player to his coaching resume when Tiffany Welcher was named to the All-Freshman team following the 2008 season.

Before arriving in Tuscaloosa, Rincon completed a successful playing career at Valdosta State in Georgia. To compliment his three All-America selections, he was awarded the Mid-South Conference Player of the Year honor in 2002. As a senior, he finished the year with topfive rankings in both singles and doubles and won the 2004 ITA / Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award. For his success on and off the court, Rincon was also named the 2004 Male Athlete of the Year at Valdosta State.

His playing career also features appearances in ATP Tour events. As a native of Colombia, he also played Davis Cup from 1997-2001 for his country where he competed against players like former world No. 1 Marcelo Rios and Guillermo Canas, who has been ranked as high as No. 8 in his career.

Born March 22, 1976, Rincon is married to the former Rosemary Ramsey. The couple has one daughter, Ana Maria. Rincon’s brother, Mario, is the head coach of the men’s tennis team at the University of Miami.