LEBANON, Ill. – Director of Athletics Anthony Francis is pleased to announce the next Bearcat Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach in Chance Joost. He inherits a men's program that finished the year 18-5 and ranked top 25 in the national poll, while the women finished 8-11. Both teams made the GLVC tournament, while the men fell in the regional championship.
Coach Joost comes to the Bearcats after a successful stint at NAIA William Woods University. While with the Owls, he compiled an impressive record of 73-29 with the men and 50-43 with the women in his five years in Fulton. After a 2023 season, which his men's program went 20-5 and fell in the second round of the NAIA national championship, Joost was named NAIA ITA National Men's Coach of the Year. Along with the national coach of the year recognition, Coach Joost has been a seven-time regional coach of the year. He has coach 23 All-Americans and 35 Academic All-Americans. Both of his teams were named Academic All-American teams every year he was with WWU.
"I would like to thank Mr. Francis, the coaches, administrators, and search committee for trusting me to lead this program to new heights. I look forward to getting on campus and laying the framework for championships to come on and off the court," said Head Coach Joost. "We will start in the classroom as model students, then as tennis players who play with respect and integrity. We will make the Bearcats known both domestically and internationally. There is a lot of potential on these teams to win championships. I can't wait to get started! Go Bearcats!"
Before coming back into the collegiate coach world, Joost was the Head Tennis Professional at Genesis Health Club in Merriam, Kansas. He directed and was responsible for growth of all the junior programs.
For about a year prior, he spent about a year at Hesston College, a 2-year institution in Hesston, Kansas where he was the head coach for both the men's and women's programs. During his time, he recruited two entirely new teams that translated into an Academic All-American and a Male Athlete of the Year.
"I'm excited to welcome Coach Joost into the Bearcat family. Throughout the interview process, it became clear that Chance aligns heavily with our goals for this department," said Director of Athletics Anthony Francis. "We wanted someone who is eager to compete at the highest level but also shows genuine care for the well-being of our student-athletes. Chance fits that very well and I am confident these programs will continue to experience success on and off the court."
No stranger to the NCAA Division II world, Coach Joost has been an assistant at Washburn University from 2014 to 2016. While in Topeka, he has coach a top 20 men's team, four All-American selectios in doubles and one All-American singles player.
He has obtained his Masters' Degree in Education with an emphasis in Athletics and Activities Administration from William Woods. Coach Joost also graduated from Washburn University with his Bachelors' Degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sports Management.
