Coaching Staff (203-2024)

Mike Sommers has been at the helm of the Saint Mary’s tennis program for the past 22 years, coaching both the girl’s and boy’s teams.  During his tenure, the girl’s teams have enjoyed considerable success – winning eight league championships and appearing in the North Coast Section playoff tournament several times.  In his time at Saint Mary’s, Coach Sommers has also coached girls softball and freshman girls basketball.  As a visible presence on campus, Coach Sommers spends a considerable amount of time volunteering at the Alameda County Food Bank as well as for the Prisoners Literature Project. In the spring of 2022, Sommers has recently retired after teaching at Saint Mary's for 22 years.

A former Panther tennis player himself, Coach Sommers graduated from Saint Mary’s in 1974. He currently lives in Richmond with his wife of 43 years and their dog “Hunter” and loves to spend time with his three grandkids. 

Elliott Nguyen ('08) begins his 9th year as both an assistant and a head coach for the Panther Tennis program.  A varsity player for the Panthers himself, Coach Nguyen played on the club team while a student at U.C. Santa Cruz and continues to play on league teams sponsored by the U.S. Tennis Association (U.S.T.A.).  His familiarity and knowledge of the game has certainly paid dividends for Panther Tennis.  In his 8 seasons, the boy’s teams have won 2 league championships while the girls have gone undefeated on their way to 6 straight!  

Also an accomplished musician, Coach Nguyen is a 2008 Panther graduate who begins his 9th year as the head of the music programs for Saint Mary’s.