Oklahoma State University Athletics
Blue Koller – From Central Florida to Stillwater
September 14, 2023 | Cowboy Tennis
When it comes to Oklahoma State's new assistant men's tennis coach, Max Koller is all about hard work and bringing a blue-collar attitude to the Cowboy tennis program.
Growing Up with Tennis
Born in Daytona Beach, Florida, Koller wasn't surrounded by high-class tennis facilities, but relied more on the local tennis community located within Central Florida.
"There was a really good local competitive environment, promoting more high school tennis and Florida state junior tennis," Koller said.
In his teenage years, Koller would play as much as he could, but lacked coaching structure to help develop his game. Most times he would shadow his friends' tennis lessons and would take any opportunities to get better.
"At a very young age, I was teaching myself how to play by watching great players compete and learning from people around me rather than receiving traditional coaching.
Unquestioned Experience
Koller made his first venture into coaching at the University of Florida when he was a student assistant. he was excited to be at one of the top tennis programs in the country.
During his tenure in Gainesville, the then-top-ranked women's tennis team claimed an SEC title, giving him an abundance of experience in his first years as a coach.
"When you're 19 years old and you're in the locker room with a team that's competing for national championships and competing for SEC titles, it was a pretty eye-opening experience."
Koller's next stop took him back to his hometown of Daytona Beach and Bethune-Cookman University.
"At Bethune Cookman you learn how to win with limited resources. Finding ways to compete at that level was the perfect start to my coaching journey."
At 22 years old, Koller was given full control of the men's and women's programs as an assistant coach. In a new role, he led the men's team to a 2018 HBCU Championship.
"We'd go out there every day with a real blue-collar mindset, work hard and beat up on some teams that were in a little bit more of an advantageous situation."
After short stints at Stetson and Oklahoma, Koller accepted a position at the University of California, Santa Barbara. UCSB was a tennis powerhouse, consistently ranked in the top 50 and winning the Big West over a dozen times since 2000.
Koller led the team to a program-high national ranking of 26 in the country.
Making His Way to Stillwater
During his time at the University of Oklahoma in the 2021-22 campaign, Koller connected with Oklahoma State head coach, Dustin Taylor, on multiple occasions as conferences foes.
When the OSU assistant coach position became available, Koller felt as if the move was right for him. Koller also had a pre-existing friendship with assistant coach, Marty Redlicki, also drawing him to be a Cowboy.
"I'm walking into something very, very special," Koller said, "It's something I wanted to be a part of, especially with all of the events coming through here in Stillwater this year, hosting the NCAA championship, hosting the Big 12 tournament on top of the fact that we have a group of guys that have really developed well over the course of the past couple years."
In the NCAA's first year allowing two assistant coaches, Taylor was estatic to add Koller to the team.
"We couldn't be more excited to welcome Max and Kelsey into our Cowboy Tennis family," Taylor said. "Max is a rising star in the coaching world and was one of the most sought-after top assistant coaches in the country this summer."
Implementing Koller's coaching style and philosophy is something he looked to do immediately. He understands the importance of player development and to succeed on the national level, it will take time.
Having experience at Oklahoma, Koller knows what's ahead. A strong Big 12 conference will provide plenty of hurdles, but it's something he thinks the Cowboys can handle.
"There's nowhere to hide in the Big 12. If you're doing well in the Big 12, then you're going to be doing well on a national scale. I think these guys are ready. They've learned a lot from last year. They've developed, they've gotten physically stronger and as a byproduct of all the work they've been doing the past couple years, I think we're prime for a lot of success this year in the Big 12."
Koller will have a chance to work hand in hand with Tyler Zink, one of the Cowboys top players. He marvels at the work that Coach Taylor has done to develop such a talented and young pro.
"You can't hide greatness," Koller said describing Zink. "I mean, if you're getting wild cards in the U.S. Open and you're a top player professionally and winning challengers over the summer. He's a complete byproduct of the work that we've been doing here."
Speaking of greatness, Koller is a fan of Greenwood Tennis Center. He feels the importance of being in Stillwater and sees greatness personified within the tennis center. He knows there are zero excuses for greatness because of the high-class facility that Oklahoma State provides.
"This facility here it's really second to none. If there's a short list of facilities in the country, I would put this at the very top of the list."
From growing up in Daytona Beach to ending up in Stillwater, Koller is excited to work with the Cowboys and knows that success is on the horizon for Oklahoma State Tennis.
Koller will lead the Cowboys in their first event of the 2023-24 season on Sept. 22, for the Big 12-SEC Challenge.
Growing Up with Tennis
Born in Daytona Beach, Florida, Koller wasn't surrounded by high-class tennis facilities, but relied more on the local tennis community located within Central Florida.
"There was a really good local competitive environment, promoting more high school tennis and Florida state junior tennis," Koller said.
In his teenage years, Koller would play as much as he could, but lacked coaching structure to help develop his game. Most times he would shadow his friends' tennis lessons and would take any opportunities to get better.
"At a very young age, I was teaching myself how to play by watching great players compete and learning from people around me rather than receiving traditional coaching.
Unquestioned Experience
Koller made his first venture into coaching at the University of Florida when he was a student assistant. he was excited to be at one of the top tennis programs in the country.
During his tenure in Gainesville, the then-top-ranked women's tennis team claimed an SEC title, giving him an abundance of experience in his first years as a coach.
"When you're 19 years old and you're in the locker room with a team that's competing for national championships and competing for SEC titles, it was a pretty eye-opening experience."
Koller's next stop took him back to his hometown of Daytona Beach and Bethune-Cookman University.
"At Bethune Cookman you learn how to win with limited resources. Finding ways to compete at that level was the perfect start to my coaching journey."
At 22 years old, Koller was given full control of the men's and women's programs as an assistant coach. In a new role, he led the men's team to a 2018 HBCU Championship.
"We'd go out there every day with a real blue-collar mindset, work hard and beat up on some teams that were in a little bit more of an advantageous situation."
After short stints at Stetson and Oklahoma, Koller accepted a position at the University of California, Santa Barbara. UCSB was a tennis powerhouse, consistently ranked in the top 50 and winning the Big West over a dozen times since 2000.
Koller led the team to a program-high national ranking of 26 in the country.
Making His Way to Stillwater
During his time at the University of Oklahoma in the 2021-22 campaign, Koller connected with Oklahoma State head coach, Dustin Taylor, on multiple occasions as conferences foes.
When the OSU assistant coach position became available, Koller felt as if the move was right for him. Koller also had a pre-existing friendship with assistant coach, Marty Redlicki, also drawing him to be a Cowboy.
"I'm walking into something very, very special," Koller said, "It's something I wanted to be a part of, especially with all of the events coming through here in Stillwater this year, hosting the NCAA championship, hosting the Big 12 tournament on top of the fact that we have a group of guys that have really developed well over the course of the past couple years."
In the NCAA's first year allowing two assistant coaches, Taylor was estatic to add Koller to the team.
"We couldn't be more excited to welcome Max and Kelsey into our Cowboy Tennis family," Taylor said. "Max is a rising star in the coaching world and was one of the most sought-after top assistant coaches in the country this summer."
Implementing Koller's coaching style and philosophy is something he looked to do immediately. He understands the importance of player development and to succeed on the national level, it will take time.
Having experience at Oklahoma, Koller knows what's ahead. A strong Big 12 conference will provide plenty of hurdles, but it's something he thinks the Cowboys can handle.
"There's nowhere to hide in the Big 12. If you're doing well in the Big 12, then you're going to be doing well on a national scale. I think these guys are ready. They've learned a lot from last year. They've developed, they've gotten physically stronger and as a byproduct of all the work they've been doing the past couple years, I think we're prime for a lot of success this year in the Big 12."
Koller will have a chance to work hand in hand with Tyler Zink, one of the Cowboys top players. He marvels at the work that Coach Taylor has done to develop such a talented and young pro.
"You can't hide greatness," Koller said describing Zink. "I mean, if you're getting wild cards in the U.S. Open and you're a top player professionally and winning challengers over the summer. He's a complete byproduct of the work that we've been doing here."
Speaking of greatness, Koller is a fan of Greenwood Tennis Center. He feels the importance of being in Stillwater and sees greatness personified within the tennis center. He knows there are zero excuses for greatness because of the high-class facility that Oklahoma State provides.
"This facility here it's really second to none. If there's a short list of facilities in the country, I would put this at the very top of the list."
From growing up in Daytona Beach to ending up in Stillwater, Koller is excited to work with the Cowboys and knows that success is on the horizon for Oklahoma State Tennis.
Koller will lead the Cowboys in their first event of the 2023-24 season on Sept. 22, for the Big 12-SEC Challenge.
Players Mentioned
/ Cowboy Tennis
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