Chris Hooshyar was named assistant women's tennis coach in August of 2013.
Hooshyar was most recently a volunteer assistant coach for the past two seasons at Southern Methodist University, the same school where he played for four years as an undergraduate. Hooshyar was actually playing at SMU at the same time Longbotham-Meisner was the head coach of the women's team.
"Ever since I met Lauren at SMU, I've wanted to be a coach," Hooshyar said. "I've always been talking with her and looking to her for advice even after I graduated. It's great that I now have the opportunity to work with her again and in a great role such as this. I'm just really excited to be at Auburn and coaching in the Southeastern Conference. Auburn is a great place to be right now and to be able to help and continue with the success that Lauren has brought to this team, it's a great honor."
In his two years as volunteer assistant for the SMU women's tennis team, Hooshyar helped coach the team to a 13-match turnaround from the 2012 spring season to 2013. Last season, the Mustangs went 14-10 in the spring and reached the Conference USA Tournament semi-finals, while also tallying four wins against ranked opponents. The team finished the year ranked No. 51 in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).
As a player, Hooshyar captained the SMU men's team for his final two seasons and compiled more than 35 singles victories in his four years. He posted the third-highest win total on the team in singles during his final year and second-highest in doubles.
Hooshyar's best season arguably came during his sophomore year when he went 14-8 in singles play, including a singles win in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament against Texas A&M . In that match, Hooshyar defeated Mike Beatty at the No. 6 spot in straight sets, 6-0, 7-6 (6), for his first NCAA victory.
As a junior player in England, Hooshyar was ranked as the top player in England throughout the junior process. Trying his hand on the ATP circuits, he made two quarterfinals in the ATP Manchester and Nottingham Challengers and was ranked as high as No. 915 in the world.
"I'm really excited that Chris is here," Auburn head coach Lauren Longbotham Meisner said. "I've known him since he played at SMU and I coached there. I know that his personality and hard work will be good for our team. He is extremely talented at developing players and knows what to look for in players when it comes to recruiting. I know he's going to do a good job and his enthusiasm is contagious. He and his wife are going to fit in well here with the Auburn family."
Chris is married to the former Meagan Surrency, who has been the assistant women's soccer and mental conditioning coach at SMU since 2009.
