Pretoria, South Africa native Dr. Jaco Keyser enters his 24th season as head coach of the University of South Alabama women’s tennis program, having established himself as the winningest coach in program history. Over 23 seasons, Keyser has compiled a 378-153 overall record while leading the Jaguars to six NCAA Tournament appearances and four Sun Belt Conference championships.
Under Keyser’s leadership, South Alabama has remained a consistent contender in the Sun Belt Conference. The Jaguars have posted three consecutive strong seasons, including records of 18-6 in 2023, 16-5 in 2024, and 14-6 in 2025, with multiple appearances in the conference tournament quarterfinals and semifinals. His teams have continued to produce all-conference performers, highlighted by Elysia Pool’s selection as the 2023 Sun Belt Co-Newcomer of the Year.
The 2022 season marked one of the most successful campaigns of Keyser’s tenure. South Alabama went 22-5 overall and 10-1 in conference play, capturing both the Sun Belt regular-season and tournament titles while earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Nikola Kohoutova was named Sun Belt Player of the Year, leading a group that earned multiple all-conference honors.
Since taking over the program in 2002, Keyser has consistently guided the Jaguars to success at both the conference and national levels. His teams have earned All-Sun Belt recognition in 17 seasons, and he has coached an ITA All-American (Viktoria Stoklasova, 2003). South Alabama also achieved national prominence early in his tenure, finishing ranked in the ITA top 65 for seven consecutive seasons from 2003-09, including a program-best No. 16 ranking in 2003.
Keyser made an immediate impact in his first season, leading the Jaguars to a Sun Belt Conference title and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Throughout his tenure, he has produced multiple 20-win seasons and guided the program to sustained success, including a landmark 2015 campaign. That season, the Jaguars opened with a school-record 18-match winning streak, captured the Sun Belt title, advanced to the NCAA Tournament, and earned Keyser Sun Belt Coach of the Year honors.
In addition to championship success, Keyser has demonstrated the ability to rebuild and develop talent. Following a rebuilding period in 2010-11, he led South Alabama to one of the nation’s top turnarounds in 2012. His program has produced multiple conference Players of the Year and nationally ranked student-athletes, with four players earning end-of-season national rankings during his tenure.
Prior to becoming head coach, Keyser spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the South Alabama men’s tennis program. A former Jaguar student-athlete from 1994-97, he was a member of three Sun Belt championship teams and helped lead the program to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a national quarterfinal finish in 1995. He concluded his collegiate career with a 46-14 singles record and a 56-10 doubles mark, earning All-Sun Belt honors in doubles twice.
From his time as a student-athlete to his decades on the sidelines, Keyser has played an integral role in the growth and sustained success of South Alabama women’s tennis.
