Washington State University Director of Athletics Anne McCoy announced June 6, 2025, that Josh Graetz has been named the Cougars’ Head Women’s Tennis Coach.
“We are thrilled to have Josh leading our women’s tennis program,” said McCoy. “He has done a tremendous job the past two seasons building relationships with our student-athletes and has earned their respect and trust. Having previously served in a head coaching role, and seeing the strides made within the program the past two years, he is the right person to lead Cougar Tennis.”
Graetz becomes the program’s ninth head coach after spending the previous two seasons as the Cougars’ assistant coach. In his two seasons in Pullman, the Cougars went from 7-15 the year prior to his arrival to 20-8 this past season, including capturing the title at the season-ending National Invitational Tournament.
“I’m incredibly honored to be named the Head Women’s Tennis Coach at Washington State University,” said Graetz. “This program holds a special place in my heart, and I’m excited to build on the momentum and success we’ve created. I want to sincerely thank Athletic Director, Anne McCoy and Senior Associate Athletic Director, Bill Stevens for their trust and belief in me—it’s a responsibility I take to heart. I’m committed to developing our student-athletes on the court, in the classroom, and as people. It’s a privilege to represent Cougar Nation, and I look forward to making our community proud. Go Cougs!”
During the 2024-25 season, Cougar Tennis posted a 20-8 record, the second-most wins in program history, en route to defeating No. 48 Charlotte in the National Invitational tournament title. The Cougars finished the season with a No. 51 national ranking, the highest season-ending ranking since 2019 (#36), excluding the shortened 2020 COVID season.
Graetz arrived in Pullman prior to the 2023-24 season having spent the previous five years as the men’s and women’s head coach at Metropolitan State University of Denver. During his time at MSU Denver, Graetz guided the women’s program to an overall 58-44 record, while the men went 49-32. The women’s program posted winning seasons all five years, including a 14-10 record during the 2022-23 campaign, while the men’s team ended 2022-23 at 15-5 with a No. 40 national ranking.
While at MSU Denver, Graetz’s finished with national rankings three times, 2022 (#64) and 2023 (#40) on the men’s side and in 2021, the women finished with a program-best ranking of No. 28. He mentored 21 total individuals to all-conference honors, including Tabitha Porter, who earned 2019 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors, while Helen Steenberg (2019) and Brooklyn Ross (2021) were Freshmen of the Year recipients.
A native of Albury, Australia, Graetz enjoyed a decorated career with the Metropolitan State University of Denver tennis program from 2013 through 2018. Over the course of his playing career at MSU Denver, Graetz became the program's all-time leader in singles wins (89), No. 1 singles wins (68), doubles wins (82), and No. 1 doubles wins (70).
Graetz graduated from MSU Denver in the spring of 2018 with bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sport management as well as a minor in international business. He and his wife, Lindsay, have a young daughter, Maeve, and their dog, Rue.
