ELSAH, IL – We are pleased to announce the hire of
Damian Jones as Principia College's new head men's tennis coach.
Jones served as an assistant coach for our men's soccer team last season. Previously, he has been a youth tennis instructor at USTA-sponsored tennis camps and also competed nationally at the junior level and in high school. He was invited to play Division I tennis at Louisiana State University but instead chose to focus on his academic career at LSU's School of Architecture.
Though Jones would go on to earn a graduate law degree and spend over a decade working as a construction lawyer, he has always had a passion for coaching. In 2019, Damian founded Student Athletes Leading Tomorrow (SALT), a sports-based youth development nonprofit based in Alton. SALT helps children in local communities achieve their fullest potential by developing active, healthy lifestyles while ensuring personal growth in areas of life beyond athletics.
Athletics Director Ann Pierson says: "I am thrilled to have a local leader in youth sports – and an important mentor of students in our larger community – join our team. Damian proved himself as a member of our men's soccer coaching staff last fall, and I know he will make a lasting impression on our tennis team this spring."
Jones says: "It has been such a pleasure and a blessing serving the Principia men's soccer team, and I am deeply grateful for the privilege and honor of assuming the helm of the storied men's tennis program. I thoroughly look forward to serving the athletes on the tennis team and continuing the success of the program."
We also want to thank outgoing coach Todd Zimmerman for all he gave to the Principia athletic department during his memorable 14-year coaching career at the College. Along from leading the men's basketball program to new heights from 2016-24, Zimmerman served as an assistant for the men's tennis program from 2012-24 while taking over as interim head coach for the 2024-25 season. During his tenure, the men's tennis program won nine conference championships, earned ten conference player of the year awards, and participated in three NCAA tournaments. Thank you for everything, Todd!
