Calvin Song Joins Illinois Women’s Tennis as Associate Head Coach
July 30, 2026 | Women's Tennis
News
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini women's tennis head coach Elizabeth Lumpkin Robinson has announced the addition of associate head coach Calvin Song to the program. Song arrives at Illinois from Drake, where he was the Bulldogs' head coach for the last two seasons.
"We are delighted to welcome Calvin and his family to Champaign," stated Lumpkin Robinson. "Having competed against Coach Song for years, I've seen firsthand the relentless drive, skilled recruiting, and infectious energy he brings to every program. Bringing him to the University of Illinois isn't just a hire; it's a strategic win that will elevate our team's culture and competitive edge for years to come."
"I could not be more excited to join the Fighting Illini family," Song said. "I'm thrilled to be working alongside an amazing head coach. Her vision for Illinois tennis, passion for developing student-athletes, and commitment to building a championship culture are things that align with my goals and hopes for this program. Illinois tennis has such a rich history, and I'm excited to help carry on the tradition of excellence. I can't wait to join the team and hit the ground running. I want to thank Coach Elizabeth, Cassie Arner, and the University of Illinois for this incredible opportunity. Go Illini!"
Song capped his two seasons at Drake by leading the fifth-seeded Bulldogs to two upset wins in the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament for an appearance in the championship match. He coached a pair of First Team All-MVC selections in Jordane Dookie and Maja Dodik. Recruited by Song, Dodik was also tabbed MVC Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year in 2026. Additionally, Shiori Takeda earned a top-125 ITA singles ranking in the fall of 2025.
While at Drake, both of Song's squads earned ITA All-Academic Team recognition, with five individuals recognized as ITA Scholar-Athletes and three tabbed as MVC Scholar-Athletes. Song led the Bulldogs to MVC Tournament appearances both seasons at the helm.
Prior to Drake, Song spent a season as an assistant coach at West Virginia, where he was part of a historic 2023-24 season as the Mountaineers went 15-13 overall, marking their first winning season since joining the Big 12. The squad made an appearance in the UTR Sports 2024 NIT Championship and was ranked a program-high 47th. WVU's postseason berth marked its first national tournament appearance in program history and included a 4-2 victory over Pacific for the team's first-ever postseason win. The Mountaineers' 15 total victories were the program's most since 2010, and the team also set a school record for most Big 12 Conference wins in a season. Song was an essential piece of the WVU tennis puzzle as he had a major impact on the Mountaineers' player development and recruiting.
Prior to West Virginia, Song was an assistant coach at Fresno State from 2021-23. He helped lead the Bulldogs to a 20-4 mark during the 2021-22 campaign and a combined 21-9 record in conference play over three seasons. During his Fresno State tenure, Song had a hand in the Bulldogs' Mountain West Conference regular season championship in 2022, when they went 10-0 in league play to clinch their first in school history. He also guided three MWC Players of the Year and a top-45 doubles team while helping lead the program to a trip to the 2023 NCAA Tournament. FSU enjoyed 10 straight weeks in the top-75 of the ITA Team Rankings and reached as high as 51st in the country. While Song was on staff, Fresno State's 2022 recruiting class ranked in the top-15 of Tennis Recruiting's Mid Majors list.
Before heading to Fresno, Song had volunteer coaching roles with the Iowa women's program and Wake Forest men's team. Prior to serving on the Hawkeyes' coaching staff, Song was an assistant tennis professional from 2016-20. He is a United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) elite pro-certified coach and was named 2020 USPTA Missouri Valley Iowa Pro of the Year.
A native of Ames, Iowa, Song graduated from Iowa State in 2016 after earning a bachelor's degree in marketing. Accompanying Song off the courts is his wife, Brooke, as well as their son, Zeke, and daughter, Zoey.
CAREER TIMELINE
2019-20 – Iowa, volunteer assistant coach
Spring 2021 – Wake Forest, men's volunteer assistant coach
Spring 2021-23 – Fresno State, assistant coach
2023-24 – West Virginia, assistant coach
2024-26 – Drake, head coach
2026-Present – Illinois, associate head coach
