AMERICUS, Ga. – Carl Willis, a veteran educator and coach with more than 45 years of experience in Georgia athletics and education, has been named the next head women's tennis coach at Georgia Southwestern State University, Director of Athletics Mike Leeder announced today.

Willis brings a deep and diverse background in education, tennis coaching, and athletic leadership, including current roles at GSW as a tennis instructor and faculty member in the College of Education. He has also served in the Americus community as head boys and girls tennis coach at Southland Academy, where he recently completed his third season leading both programs.

Under his leadership at Southland Academy, both the boys' and girls' programs reached the GIAA Class AA Final Four in his second season. This past year, the Raiders continued their upward trajectory, finishing the season ranked No. 3 in the state.

"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Willis to lead our women's tennis program," Leeder said. "His experience, leadership, and long-standing commitment to education and student-athlete development make him an ideal fit for our program and university."

Prior to his time at Southland Academy, Willis served as head boys and girls tennis coach in the Sumter County School System, where his programs consistently competed at the highest levels of Georgia high school tennis, making repeated appearances in the Final Four, Elite Eight, and Sweet 16. In addition to tennis, he contributed as a special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach for the football program and also served as an adaptive physical education teacher across the district.

Earlier in his career, Willis was head football coach at Tri-County High School in Draneville, Georgia. In just his second season, he guided the Eagles to a playoff berth and was named Southwest Georgia/East Alabama Coach of the Year by the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. He also served on the executive committee of the Georgia High School Association, contributing to statewide athletic governance.

Willis began his coaching and teaching career in the Americus City School System, where he served as a classroom teacher and later as chairman of the physical education department. During that time, he coached basketball, baseball, football, and eventually tennis, earning more than 10 region Coach of the Year honors in both boys and girls tennis while guiding teams to deep postseason runs year after year.

A proud graduate of Georgia Southwestern, Willis holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in health and physical education from GSW, as well as a specialist degree in school administration from Troy University. He also earned an associate degree from then Middle Georgia College in Cochran, Georgia, and is a 1974 graduate of Cochran High School. While attending GSW, he served as a graduate assistant in the health and physical education department and worked in the university's video department.

Willis has remained closely connected to GSW throughout his career, both professionally and personally. He is married to Karen Moates Willis, a former GSW instructor in the College of Education. The couple has two children: the late Josh Willis and Rebecca Morris, who is married to Samuel Morris. They are grandparents to Henry Edward Morris, with another grandson expected in October 2026.

Willis will assume full leadership of the women's tennis program immediately as preparations continue for the upcoming season.