Oklahoma State University Athletics
The Koller Perspective – A Fresh Set of Eyes
December 20, 2023 | Cowboy Tennis
Professional. The one word Oklahoma State men's tennis assistant coach Max Koller used to describe the 2023-24 Cowboy squad.
"Their habits are very professional on the court, off the court," Koller said. "They're committed to taking their tennis to the next level and they back that with everything that they do."
Despite Koller being new to the Oklahoma State program, he is no stranger to the coaching scene, with experience at UC Santa Barbara, Oklahoma, Stetson and Bethune Cookman.
Koller, who was added to the coaching staff in August of 2023, came in with a fresh set of eyes. He was well aware of the talented roster, along with the team's hunger and desire to succeed.
"There's tremendous potential within the college tennis scene for our team," Koller said. "This year's edition of the Cowboys is poised for success, drawing strength from the solid foundation laid over the past two years and the seasoned core that has been integral to our journey. I have full faith that they will rise to the occasion and showcase their capabilities on the court."
The resources that Oklahoma State provides to its athletes, along with the top-tier facilities, were all the more reason to accept the coaching position with the Cowboys. With everything that OSU has to provide, Koller saw potential for the program.
"I quickly realized – from the outside looking in – that there's no excuse for us not to get the job done. The expectation for us at Oklahoma State is to win matches at the highest level."
A Special Group
Having experience with four other universities prior to OSU, Koller has been around a lot of talented teams and players. This one, however, felt different.
"I think this team is unique compared to the other ones I've worked with because nearly every guy we have on the roster all have aspirations to play after college," Koller said. "This group you don't necessarily need to encourage day-to-day effort and discipline because these guys all have goals to play."
The task, as a coach, is reinforcing belief in such a talented group.
"The main difference is just trying to make them believe how good they can be," Koller said.
After spending a fall season with the Cowboys, Koller has already noticed improvements among the team.
"I've witnessed a remarkable evolution in their teamwork," Koller said. "In the locker room, there's an unmistakable bond that sets this group apart. Their camaraderie is truly special, and it's reflective of the growth they've experienced as a team."
"Watching them spend more time off the court, watching them invest more in each other, I think that element of selflessness that they've been developing and building over the course of the past couple of months is special," Koller said.
A Rollercoaster of Success
During the 2023 spring campaign, the season started almost as well as anyone could have asked for. The Pokes were 11-3 and 9-0 at home heading into spring break. They were nearly unstoppable reaching a national team ranking of No. 30 on Feb. 28.
After a tough stretch of matches against three ranked opponents, including a loss at No. 8 Southern California, things took a bit of a turn. After a tough stretch to end the season, the Cowboys were not where they wanted to be heading into the postseason.
Despite that stretch, OSU rallied in the Big 12 tournament, defeating third-seeded Texas Tech, 4-3, on a walk-off win in the third set from Carl Roothman at the No. 6 spot.
The win seemed to be a turning point for the Cowboys. The 13-win season was enough to put the Pokes in the NCAA tournament, where they competed at the Tucson Regional.
In a hard-fought battle between the No. 44 Cowboys and 20th-ranked Florida, OSU pulled off the upset, 4-2, advancing to the second round.
Koller, who was not yet with the team, saw plenty of upside in such an up-and-down season.
"I think based off the lessons that the team learned from last year, they have gathered the experience and resilience necessary in order to take the program to the next level," Koller said.
Oklahoma State – a Place to Play
OSU returned all eight of its eligible players from a year ago and Koller felt that was in large part due to the university.
"Stillwater is a unique place to call home," Koller said. "Dustin Taylor has put together a great team and the student-athletes at OSU have resources and support second to none."
Koller is not surprised that the players chose to return to OSU.
"There's really no place in the country better to come back to than Oklahoma State with all the opportunities provided for its student-athletes," Koller said.
Team Makeup – Leadership a Key to Success
Every team needs its leaders, and it starts from the top. With promising leadership from head coach Dustin Taylor and second-year assistant coach Martin Redlicki, they provide just that for the Cowboys.
Koller is well aware that some players need to step into a leadership role as well. He noted a few players, including fifth-year seniors Tyler Zink and Alex Garcia.
"Tyler leads by example," Koller said. "He holds the professional standard for the group and his day-to-day habits are very strong."
Garcia, in his eyes, is the vocal leader.
"I think he has a great pulse in the locker room," Koller said. "He has a good relationship with the players to where he knows when to push and pull the group."
Senior Isaac Becroft also plays a huge role in how the team operates.
"I feel like he is the mentor to a lot of the younger guys," Koller said. "They look up to him as a role model. He is a bridge between the different groups on the team."
Koller noted that selflessness is best exemplified by senior Leighton Allen.
"Leighton Allen exhibits leadership qualities that may go unnoticed to many," Koller said. "He goes above and beyond, taking additional time to provide rides for the younger guys, ensuring the freshman are well guided, and making sure everyone is present at team dinners and practices."
There is no shortage of leadership on the roster, and it shows in the team chemistry. Every player's personality positively impacts the team in one facet or another. Koller pointed out the fiery competitor in Alessio Basile and the even-keeled nature of Carl Roothman.
All the way down to the freshmen, Goran Zgola, Ty Wunderlich, Erik Schiessl and Derek Pham, epitomize what it means to be a Cowboy.
"It's been an extraordinary group of freshmen," Koller said. "I know that their connection is a great example of chemistry and unity that any team needs in order to be successful."
From top to bottom, this team has exactly what it needs to be successful come January.
"I think their professionalism is going to get them a long way this year," Koller said. "They do everything the right way and you can't ask for much more as a coach."
"Their habits are very professional on the court, off the court," Koller said. "They're committed to taking their tennis to the next level and they back that with everything that they do."
Despite Koller being new to the Oklahoma State program, he is no stranger to the coaching scene, with experience at UC Santa Barbara, Oklahoma, Stetson and Bethune Cookman.
Koller, who was added to the coaching staff in August of 2023, came in with a fresh set of eyes. He was well aware of the talented roster, along with the team's hunger and desire to succeed.
"There's tremendous potential within the college tennis scene for our team," Koller said. "This year's edition of the Cowboys is poised for success, drawing strength from the solid foundation laid over the past two years and the seasoned core that has been integral to our journey. I have full faith that they will rise to the occasion and showcase their capabilities on the court."
The resources that Oklahoma State provides to its athletes, along with the top-tier facilities, were all the more reason to accept the coaching position with the Cowboys. With everything that OSU has to provide, Koller saw potential for the program.
"I quickly realized – from the outside looking in – that there's no excuse for us not to get the job done. The expectation for us at Oklahoma State is to win matches at the highest level."
A Special Group
Having experience with four other universities prior to OSU, Koller has been around a lot of talented teams and players. This one, however, felt different.
"I think this team is unique compared to the other ones I've worked with because nearly every guy we have on the roster all have aspirations to play after college," Koller said. "This group you don't necessarily need to encourage day-to-day effort and discipline because these guys all have goals to play."
The task, as a coach, is reinforcing belief in such a talented group.
"The main difference is just trying to make them believe how good they can be," Koller said.
After spending a fall season with the Cowboys, Koller has already noticed improvements among the team.
"I've witnessed a remarkable evolution in their teamwork," Koller said. "In the locker room, there's an unmistakable bond that sets this group apart. Their camaraderie is truly special, and it's reflective of the growth they've experienced as a team."
"Watching them spend more time off the court, watching them invest more in each other, I think that element of selflessness that they've been developing and building over the course of the past couple of months is special," Koller said.
A Rollercoaster of Success
During the 2023 spring campaign, the season started almost as well as anyone could have asked for. The Pokes were 11-3 and 9-0 at home heading into spring break. They were nearly unstoppable reaching a national team ranking of No. 30 on Feb. 28.
After a tough stretch of matches against three ranked opponents, including a loss at No. 8 Southern California, things took a bit of a turn. After a tough stretch to end the season, the Cowboys were not where they wanted to be heading into the postseason.
Despite that stretch, OSU rallied in the Big 12 tournament, defeating third-seeded Texas Tech, 4-3, on a walk-off win in the third set from Carl Roothman at the No. 6 spot.
The win seemed to be a turning point for the Cowboys. The 13-win season was enough to put the Pokes in the NCAA tournament, where they competed at the Tucson Regional.
In a hard-fought battle between the No. 44 Cowboys and 20th-ranked Florida, OSU pulled off the upset, 4-2, advancing to the second round.
Koller, who was not yet with the team, saw plenty of upside in such an up-and-down season.
"I think based off the lessons that the team learned from last year, they have gathered the experience and resilience necessary in order to take the program to the next level," Koller said.
Oklahoma State – a Place to Play
OSU returned all eight of its eligible players from a year ago and Koller felt that was in large part due to the university.
"Stillwater is a unique place to call home," Koller said. "Dustin Taylor has put together a great team and the student-athletes at OSU have resources and support second to none."
Koller is not surprised that the players chose to return to OSU.
"There's really no place in the country better to come back to than Oklahoma State with all the opportunities provided for its student-athletes," Koller said.
Team Makeup – Leadership a Key to Success
Every team needs its leaders, and it starts from the top. With promising leadership from head coach Dustin Taylor and second-year assistant coach Martin Redlicki, they provide just that for the Cowboys.
Koller is well aware that some players need to step into a leadership role as well. He noted a few players, including fifth-year seniors Tyler Zink and Alex Garcia.
"Tyler leads by example," Koller said. "He holds the professional standard for the group and his day-to-day habits are very strong."
Garcia, in his eyes, is the vocal leader.
"I think he has a great pulse in the locker room," Koller said. "He has a good relationship with the players to where he knows when to push and pull the group."
Senior Isaac Becroft also plays a huge role in how the team operates.
"I feel like he is the mentor to a lot of the younger guys," Koller said. "They look up to him as a role model. He is a bridge between the different groups on the team."
Koller noted that selflessness is best exemplified by senior Leighton Allen.
"Leighton Allen exhibits leadership qualities that may go unnoticed to many," Koller said. "He goes above and beyond, taking additional time to provide rides for the younger guys, ensuring the freshman are well guided, and making sure everyone is present at team dinners and practices."
There is no shortage of leadership on the roster, and it shows in the team chemistry. Every player's personality positively impacts the team in one facet or another. Koller pointed out the fiery competitor in Alessio Basile and the even-keeled nature of Carl Roothman.
All the way down to the freshmen, Goran Zgola, Ty Wunderlich, Erik Schiessl and Derek Pham, epitomize what it means to be a Cowboy.
"It's been an extraordinary group of freshmen," Koller said. "I know that their connection is a great example of chemistry and unity that any team needs in order to be successful."
From top to bottom, this team has exactly what it needs to be successful come January.
"I think their professionalism is going to get them a long way this year," Koller said. "They do everything the right way and you can't ask for much more as a coach."
Players Mentioned
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