Damian Hume has been an assistant coach for Princeton University men’s tennis since joining the program in October 2015, serving as the Cornelia Drake and John Van Ryn Jr. ’28 Assistant Coach. During his tenure, Hume has been a key contributor to one of the most successful periods in program history, helping guide the Tigers to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, consistent national rankings, and victories over top-ranked opponents. In the 2023–24 season, Princeton returned to the NCAA Tournament, rose as high as No. 21 in the ITA team rankings, and posted a 22–8 overall record. Hume played an instrumental role in player development and match preparation, supporting championship runs at the Blue Gray Classic and ECAC Championships and mentoring Ivy League award winners and nationally ranked singles and doubles competitors.
Prior to Princeton, Hume served as an assistant coach at Michigan State, where he earned national recognition for his work in player development, particularly in doubles, including helping guide an All-America pair at the NCAA Championships. A South African native, Hume brings elite playing experience to the collegiate coaching ranks. He played at Boise State University, where he competed at the top of the lineup and achieved a career-high ITA singles ranking of No. 25. Before Boise State, he won a junior college national singles championship at Collin County Community College and held top national and international junior rankings in South Africa. Hume earned a degree in psychology and is widely respected for integrating technical, tactical, and mental training into his coaching approach, strengthening Princeton’s culture of excellence both on and off the court.
