Featuring Tom Rees
Head Men’s & Women’s Coach, Georgia Gwinnett College • Former Associate Head Coach, Clemson University • NAIA National Champion
About This Episode
Tom Rees has coached both sides — men’s and women’s — at a high level, and that experience has reshaped how he approaches leadership, communication, and building trust.
Now leading both programs at Georgia Gwinnett College — and coming off a Men’s Indoor NAIA National Championship — his perspective is grounded in what actually works when it matters most.
What he’s learned isn’t about labeling athletes — it’s about understanding the athlete in front of you.
In this conversation, Tom shares how communication needs to be adapted (not standardized), why culture is defined by what happens when the coach steps away, and how small shifts in approach can completely change buy-in, confidence, and performance.
He also challenges one of the biggest misconceptions in coaching: that positive reinforcement is soft. In reality, he sees it as one of the most effective tools for building confident, connected, high-performing teams.
This conversation may start with differences — but it ends with a much more important idea:
great coaching is about meeting athletes where they are — and helping them grow from there.
Top 5 Takeaways
1. Buy-in starts with understanding.
Athletes don’t just want direction — they want purpose. When players understand why something matters, effort and commitment go to a different level.
2. Culture shows up when you’re not there.
What your team does without you is the truth. That’s culture. And if communication isn’t strong, small issues can quietly grow into big ones.
3. Positive reinforcement builds stronger athletes.
It’s not about being soft — it’s about being effective. Confidence grows when athletes feel seen, supported, and pushed at the right moments.
4. Involvement creates ownership.
When athletes have a voice in how they train, they invest more. Even small moments of input can completely change their level of engagement.
5. Confidence is something you do.
It’s not something you wait for. The way athletes carry themselves — how they show up, how they act — shapes how they feel and perform.
Try This Today
Before your next practice, take one thing you normally tell your athletes — and flip it.
Instead of giving the answer, ask:
“What’s your favorite way to work on this?”
Then listen.
You may get the same answer you were planning to give — or something better.
Either way, you’ve shifted ownership.
And when athletes feel ownership, effort changes. Focus changes. Growth speeds up.
“Culture is what happens when the coach isn’t there. Atmosphere is just what you feel because of it.”
— Tom Rees
About Tom Rees
Tom Rees is the Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach at Georgia Gwinnett College, where he recently led the men’s program to an NAIA Indoor National Championship.
Previously, he served as Associate Head Coach at Clemson University and has over 14 years of experience across Division I and Division II programs, working with both men’s and women’s teams.
Originally from England, Tom came to the U.S. to play college tennis at UNC Asheville and has built his coaching career around communication, culture, and developing the complete athlete.
