Clarksville, Ark. – Colin Lucius is the new Head Women's and Men's Tennis Coach at the University of the Ozarks, the athletics department announced Monday.

Lucius comes to Ozarks with an impressive resume that includes coaching and playing at the NCAA I level. A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Lucius served as the assistant men's coach at NCAA I University of Alabama-Birmingham during the 2025 fall season and 2026 spring season. During his time at UAB, Lucius played a key role in recruiting, on-court training and travel logistics. He helped the program post the highest grade point average on campus for the fall semester and UAB also had its first ITA doubles ranking since the 2019 season. 

As a player at NCAA I La Salle University, Lucius was a starter in the lineup all four seasons and made the Academic All-Conference Team in each of those seasons. He went undefeated in home matches his junior and senior years. Lucius had the clinching win in the conference tournament against George Mason University in what many considered the biggest upset in conference tournament history. As a student-athlete, Lucius was a member of the La Salle Honor's Council and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. 
     
"We are thrilled to add Coach Lucius to the Ozarks family," said Dr. Sergio Molina, Director of Athletics. "We are excited about the future of the program under his leadership. As player, he competed at the highest level, and I believe that will benefit our players. He is committed to developing our student-athletes and we look forward to seeing his impact both on and off the court."
     
Prior to his coaching stint at UAB, Lucius served as the assistant coach within the Louisiana State University system for one season. As the assistant women's coach at LSU-Shreveport, he helped the 2025 team advance to the quarterfinals of the conference tournament. The program was also ranked nationally that season and finished with its second straight eight-win season, the most victories in nearly 20 seasons.
His extensive experience as a tennis pro and instructor includes stops at University of Texas, Seaside Tennis (Florida), Germantown Cricket Club (Philadelphia), Pierremont Oaks Tennis Center (Shreveport) and Nantucket (Massachusetts).     
     
"I am incredibly honored to join Ozarks as the head coach for the men's and women's tennis programs," said Lucius. "I am grateful to Dr. Sergio Molina, President Dunsworth and the entire Ozarks community for accepting me into their family. My grandfather is an Ozarks alum and my family roots are in the Ozarks, so when I saw the position open, I thought 'what better place to begin my career as a head coach.' Ozarks is home to one of the country's most impressive tennis facilities and offers student-athletes the best of Division III athletics. I believe that with the university's facilities and outstanding administrative team, it has the necessary ingredients to grow our programs into regional powerhouses."

Lucius earned his bachelor's degree in English from La Salle in 2021.