Eastern Kentucky University Athletics

A former head coach at the Division III and NAIA levels, Jacob Freeland was hired as Eastern Kentucky University's associate head tennis coach on June 26, 2026.

Freeland will assist the Colonels in their transition into Unisun Sports alongside veteran first-year head coach Tom Boysen, which is a strategic alliance between the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) and United Athletic Conference (UAC) that is a first-of-its-kind consortium stretching throughout the southeast. Unisun Sports serves as the operational and business engine for two premier NCAA Division I conferences, uniting them under a single umbrella to drive innovation and shared success.

Entering the 2026-27 season, EKU men's tennis will compete in the 12-team ASUN while the EKU women's team will play in the six-team UAC.
 
"Jacob's years as the head coach of both the men's and women's programs at Shawnee State University and Earlham College showcased his ability to recruit high-level student-athletes," Boysen said. "He developed those individuals into much better players while quickly establishing a culture of hard work and success, all while leading with passion and integrity."
 
Prior to joining EKU, Freeland spent the past two seasons as head coach at Earlham College in Indiana, leading the program from 2024-26. During his tenure, the Quakers totaled 48 victories between the men's and women's programs.
 
Last season, Freeland guided both teams to 13-win campaigns and appearances in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals. The men's team advanced with a 4-3 victory over Hanover College, while the women's team earned a 5-2 win over Anderson University to reach the semifinals.
 
"He has great instincts as a motivator, and he is passionate about student-athlete development and creating positive student-athlete experiences. We are extremely fortunate to be bringing Jacob into the EKU tennis family, and I am excited to begin working side by side with him to take our programs to new heights."
 
Before his time at Earlham, Freeland served as head coach at his alma mater, Shawnee State University, from 2022-24, where he led the men's and women's programs to a combined 22 victories.
 
During the 2024 season, Shawnee State's men's team set a school record with 10 wins and advanced to the River States Conference Tournament semifinals. That same season, the women's team matched the program record win total with seven victories and reached the RSC Tournament quarterfinals.
 
He's produced several all-conference selections and led one player to a national singles ranking according to the ITA.
 
Before joining the collegiate coaching ranks, Freeland spent six months as director of junior tennis at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.
 
A 2022 graduate of Shawnee State, Freeland earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration, graduating cum laude. As a member of the men's tennis team, he was a three-time Mid-South Conference All-Academic selection and NAIA Scholar-Athlete.
 
Freeland is a native of Marietta, Ohio.

Updated July 7, 2026