Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Tennis
James Wadley
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- james.wadley@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State welcomes back legendary former Cowboy Tennis head coach and longest tenured head coach in OSU Athletics history James Wadley for the 2026 spring season.
“It is with great honor and privilege that we welcome back Oklahoma State’s longest tenured head coach, ITA Hall of Famer and Oklahoma Hall of Honor inductee, coach James Wadley to our Cowboy Tennis family,” head coach Dustin Taylor said. “Coach Wadley brings 40 years of head coaching experience where he was the pioneer in so many ways to include international recruiting and a program builder known for being ahead of the times.”
Wadley joined the Oklahoma State coaching staff in 1972 after beginning his career coaching high school tennis in Duncan, Okla. The program was immediately enhanced, as the Cowboys reeled off three consecutive Big Eight runner-up finishes in four years and five conference titles between 1973 and 1983, known as the "Decade of Dominance … Oklahoma State received the first of its 17 NCAA Tournament bids in 1978 under Wadley, which were highlighted by four Sweet Sixteen appearances … After leading the program for 40 years, Wadley stands as the longest tenured head coach in OSU history. The McAlester, Okla., native compiled 662 wins over his four decades at the helm of the men's tennis program and led the Cowboys to 12 conference tournament titles … Wadley helped 108 players earn all-conference honors, with nine receiving ITA All-American status … Individually, Wadley accumulated 13 conference coach of the year honors and 12 regional coaching honors. He was inducted in the ITA Men's Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame Hall of Fame in 2014.
Top honors: 13-time Big Eight champion coach, four NCAA Sweet 16 appearances, coached nine ITA All-Americans, 2014 inductee into the ITA Men's Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame, Longest tenured coach in Cowboy Tennis history with 40 years at the helm.
“It is with great honor and privilege that we welcome back Oklahoma State’s longest tenured head coach, ITA Hall of Famer and Oklahoma Hall of Honor inductee, coach James Wadley to our Cowboy Tennis family,” head coach Dustin Taylor said. “Coach Wadley brings 40 years of head coaching experience where he was the pioneer in so many ways to include international recruiting and a program builder known for being ahead of the times.”
Wadley joined the Oklahoma State coaching staff in 1972 after beginning his career coaching high school tennis in Duncan, Okla. The program was immediately enhanced, as the Cowboys reeled off three consecutive Big Eight runner-up finishes in four years and five conference titles between 1973 and 1983, known as the "Decade of Dominance … Oklahoma State received the first of its 17 NCAA Tournament bids in 1978 under Wadley, which were highlighted by four Sweet Sixteen appearances … After leading the program for 40 years, Wadley stands as the longest tenured head coach in OSU history. The McAlester, Okla., native compiled 662 wins over his four decades at the helm of the men's tennis program and led the Cowboys to 12 conference tournament titles … Wadley helped 108 players earn all-conference honors, with nine receiving ITA All-American status … Individually, Wadley accumulated 13 conference coach of the year honors and 12 regional coaching honors. He was inducted in the ITA Men's Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame Hall of Fame in 2014.
Top honors: 13-time Big Eight champion coach, four NCAA Sweet 16 appearances, coached nine ITA All-Americans, 2014 inductee into the ITA Men's Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame, Longest tenured coach in Cowboy Tennis history with 40 years at the helm.
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