Story courtesy of Alvernia Athletics

Reading, Pa. (June 30, 2025) - Alvernia University Director of Athletics and Recreation Cory Beddick announced on Monday the hiring of Clay Allen as the head coach of men's and women's tennis.

Allen joins Alvernia after a one-year stop at Franklin and Marshall College and three years at Goucher College. 

"I am thrilled to announce Clay Allen as our Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach," said Beddick. "Coach Allen has a proven track record of success as a NCAA Division III Head Coach. There is no doubt in our minds that he is the right person to lead our tennis programs moving forward."

In just one season at Franklin and Marshall, Allen led both programs to top-40 ITA national rankings. The men's team finished 5-2 in Centennial play under Allen. The women's team went 12-6 overall during the 2024-25 season, and went 6-2 in Centennial play. The Diplomats finished as the runner-up in the Centennial Conference. Between both teams, Allen coached nine All-Conference honorees. 

"I am very excited to hit the ground running," said Allen. "Alvernia has a lot of potential to be a well-known university for student-athletes to come. I am excited to bring a strong expertise and positive attitude to the community of Reading."

Prior to his time at Franklin and Marshall, Allen had a successful three year stint at Goucher as head coach of the men's program. Under his leadership, the Gophers made three straight championship appearances and captured two Landmark titles (2022 and 2024). Allen was named the 2024 Landmark Men's Tennis Coach of the Year. In 2022, the Gophers made their first NCAA appearance under Allen. They made a second NCAA appearance in 2024 following a perfect 9-0 season in Landmark play. During his three seasons, the Gophers amassed a 21-1 Landmark record. Allen also coached 17 all-conference honorees at Goucher. 

"We believe in Coach Allen's ability to recruit and develop talented student-athletes that will excel on and off the courts," added Beddick. "Additionally, we believe that Clay will be a fantastic fit in our athletic department and campus community."

Allen made his first head coaching stop at McPherson College, an NAIA institution in Kansas. Allen led both the men's and women's programs at McPherson. During the 2021 season, he led the men's program to a 14-2 record and a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) Championship and NAIA Tournament berth. The women's team finished 10-5 and reached the KCAC semifinals in 2021.

Prior to McPherson, Allen made a stop as the assistant coach of both the men's and women's programs at Washington College (Maryland). Allen spent three seasons at Washington before heading to McPherson.
Allen played collegiately at Colby-Sawyer College from 2011 to 2015. During his four years, Allen was a two-time North Athletic Conference (NAC) All-Conference honoree and led his team to four consecutive NAC Championships and three NCAA tournament appearances. Allen was a team-captain of the Chargers for two years and finished top-five all-time in singles wins. 

"I would like to thank Cory Beddick and the entire athletic department for trusting me with the men's and women's tennis programs," added Allen. "We are ready to bring the Golden Wolves to the top of the MAC!"

Allen received his bachelor's degree in sports communications from Colby-Sawyer in 2015. He will begin with Alvernia on July 7.