DALLAS (July 22, 2025) – SMU Athletics announced today that Jeff Nevolo's contract as head coach for the women's tennis program has not been renewed. Associate Head Coach Alexis Casati was named Interim Head Coach effective immediately, as a national search for a permanent head coach commences. 

"On behalf of the entire Mustang family, I would like to thank Coach Nevolo for his service and leadership to the women's tennis program and wish him luck in the next chapter of his professional career," said Damon Evans, Director of Athletics. "SMU is committed to winning at the highest level in women's tennis and our search for a new head coach will reflect that commitment." 

Nevolo was named head coach for the Mustangs on July 3, 2019. In 2024-25, Nevolo led the Mustangs in its first season as members of the ACC, going 12-14 overall and 4-8 in the conference dual matches. The Mustangs were ranked by the ITA as high as 46th during the season but finished the year 50th.  The Mustangs first ACC win came in a 4-1 home win over Louisville on February 23. Before the inaugural ACC year, Nevolo led the program to back-to-back AAC championships in 2022-23 and 2023-24. 
 
Casati enters her second season with the Mustangs, her second stint on the Hilltop. Her first season as Associate Head Coach was the first for SMU as members of the ACC, finishing 50th in the ITA rankings in its first season in the Power 4. Prior to her second stint with the Mustangs, Casati served four years as an Associate Head Coach at Georgia Tech. Casati was previously a Volunteer Assistant Coach for the Mustangs during the 2019-2020 season, the first season of the Nevolo era at SMU.