Skip Navigation

JONATAN BERHANE - HEAD COACH

Jonatan Berhane was named head coach of the Alabama women's tennis program on April 21, 2023, following the retirement of longtime head coach Jenny Mainz. Prior to being named head coach, Berhane served as the program's assistant coach for five seasons.

"We are excited to announce the elevation of Jonatan to head coach of our women's tennis program," said Director of Athletics Greg Byrne. "He has incredible character and, having been a part of the program for the last five seasons, knows all about the wonderful team culture built by his predecessor Jenny Mainz. Congratulations to Jonatan and his family. We look forward to having him join our outstanding lineup of head coaches."

"Today is one of the best days of my life," said Berhane. "I'm honored to take over as the next head women's tennis coach at The University of Alabama. I'm beyond words with this incredible opportunity and the excitement of continuing to work with this special group of young ladies. I believe in this team, and I know we will continue to improve and work toward winning another SEC Championship."

Alabama - Head Coach (2023-Present)

  • Led the Crimson Tide to a 13-1 start to the season, including an 11-match winning streak
  • Guided the Tide to the program's third Blue-Gray National Tennis Classic Title, after defeating three ranked teams in two days
  • Pushed UA to a 4-0 start to Southeastern Conference play
  • Helped the team earn the No. 13 national ranking
  • The Crimson Tide remained ranked by the ITA for the entire 2024 season
  • Anne Marie Hiser and Petra Sedlackova received Second Team All-SEC honors for their performance in the 2024 season
  • Sedlackova advanced to the ITA Fall National Championships after winning the ITA Southern Regional singles draw

Alabama - Assistant Coach (2018-23)

  • Helped coach the Crimson Tide to three NCAA Tournament appearances
  • In 2022, Berhane helped lead the Crimson Tide to its best start since 2018, opening the season with nine-straight victories
  • Assisted in the development of Petra Sedlackova, who earned ITA Southern Region Rookie of the Year honors in 2022
  • Sedlackova also captured Second Team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman Team honors in 2022
  • Loudmilla Bencheikh picked up First Team All-SEC honors in 2022
  • Sedlackova and Bencheikh both advanced to the NCAA Singles Championships that year
  • Bencheikh and Anne Marie Hiser advanced to the ITA Fall National Championships after winning the ITA Southern Regional Doubles Draw
  • Berhane saw Alabama capture 12 wins in his third year with the Tide, including notable road wins against Missouri and Arkansas
  • Alba Cortina Pou became the third player in program history to earn back-to-back CoSIDA Academic All-American honors
  • In his second season, the Tide compiled a 12-6 record before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Key in player development, Berhane helped coach Alba Cortina Pou to an 11-0 dual match record to begin the season, as she became the first player in program history to win Southeastern Conference Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks (Feb. 5 & 12)
  • In his first season with the Tide, Berhane had an immediate impact in helping Alabama to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2015
  • Was honored as the ITA Southern Region Assistant Coach of the Year
Western Kentucky - Head Coach (2014-18)
  • 2017 Conference USA Head Coach of the Year
  • Led the Lady Toppers to three-straight winning seasons
  • Reached the semifinal round of the conference tournament by taking down a top-40 team in 2017
  • In the classroom, the Lady Toppers earned a perfect APR score for four consecutive years
Prior to Western Kentucky
  • Spent one season as an assistant coach at Youngstown State, serving both the men's and women's programs
  • During his time at Youngstown State, the Penguins became the first Horizon League squad other than UIC to win the women's conference championship since 1996
  • At the 2014 conference championships, the Penguins took down Wright State, second-seeded Milwaukee and top-seeded Cleveland State to claim the title
  • YSU competed in the Charlottesville Regional against No. 3 seed Virginia
  • Spent two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at East Tennessee State
  • Helped guide the Pirates to the regular-season championship in 2013, defeating two ranked opponents
  • Instructed at New York Shelter Island Camp and at the Monaco Athletic in Denver, Colo.
  • Served on the ITA Committee from 2014-18
Personal Life
  • Achieved a No. 10 Swedish ranking and was a finalist for the Swedish Championship in doubles
  • Earned his MBA in Sports Management from ETSU
  • Attended Lewis-Clark State College, where he ranked as a Top-15 NAIA singles player and ranked in the top 10 in doubles
  • Competed at Virginia Intermont College, leading his team to a top-five NAIA ranking
  • Speaks three languages: Swedish, English and Tigrinya

JONATAN BERHANE - HEAD COACH

Berhane finished up his second season as an assistant coach for the Crimson Tide following the 2019-20 campaign.
 
In his second season, the Tide compiled a 12-6 record before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Key in player player development, Berhane helped coach Alba Cortina Pou to an 11-0 dual match record to begin the season, as she became the first player in program history to win Southeastern Conference Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks (Feb. 5 & 12).
 
In his first season with the Tide, Berhane had an immediate impact in helping Alabama to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2015. For his work, he was honored as the ITA Southern Region Assistant Coach of the Year.
 
Before Alabama, Berhane spent four years as the head coach for the Western Kentucky women’s tennis team.
 
During his tenure at WKU, Berhane was named the 2017 Conference USA Head Coach of the Year. He led the Lady Toppers to three-straight seasons over .500 and reached the semifinal round of the conference tournament by taking down a top-40 team in 2017. In the classroom, the Lady Toppers earned a perfect APR score for four consecutive years.
 
Before leading WKU, Berhane spent one season as an assistant coach for Youngstown State’s men’s and women’s tennis programs, and two years prior, he served as a graduate assistant coach at East Tennessee State.
 
At Youngstown State, the women’s team became the first Horizon League squad other than UIC to win the conference title since 1996. At the 2014 conference championships, the Penguins took down Wright State, second-seeded Milwaukee and top-seeded Cleveland State to claim the title. YSU went on to compete in the Charlottesville Regional against No. 3 seed Virginia to cap the historic season.
 
During his two years at ETSU, the Pirates won the regular-season championship in 2013, defeating two ranked opponents, and many of the student-athletes Berhane helped recruit powered ETSU to the 2014 conference tournament title.
 
Berhane’s other coaching experiences included instruction at New York Shelter Island Camp and at the Monaco Athletic in Denver, Colo. He has also served on the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Committee from 2014-18. 
 
Berhane graduated from Lewis-Clark State College where he ranked as a Top 15 NAIA singles players in the nation, while also ranking in the top 10 in doubles. Before transferring to LCSC, Berhane attended Virginia Intermont College, leading his team to a top five NAIA ranking.
 
A native of Stockholm, Sweden, Berhane achieved a No. 10 Swedish ranking and was a finalist for the Swedish Championship doubles. He earned his MBA in sports management at ETSU in 2013. Furthermore, Berhane speaks three languages – Swedish, English and Tigrinya – and he also understands Norwegian.

ALBA CORTINA POU - ASSISTANT COACH

Former Alabama student-athlete Alba Cortina Pou joined Crimson Tide women's tennis coaching staff in July of 2023 as assistant coach. Cortina Pou returned to
the program after competing as a four-year starter for the Tide.

"I am thrilled to have Alba join our coaching staff," head coach Jonatan Berhane said. "She will be a great fit for our program. She's a fierce competitor, great at building relationships and is intelligent. She will make our tennis program better. Alba and I said a few years ago when I got a head coaching job, she would be my assistant coach, and for this to come to fruition is incredible. Alba has my complete trust and I couldn't ask for anyone better. The whole Tuscaloosa community will love her. Roll Tide!" 

"I am incredibly excited and honored to join the Alabama women's tennis team as the new assistant coach", Cortina Pou said. "This program holds a special place in my heart, and I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the place that has given me so much. Working alongside Coach Jonatan makes this experience even more special. We have known each other for the past five years, and I am thrilled to work together with our shared vision. I look forward to getting started and continuing to build this program."


Alabama - Assistant Coach (2023-Present)

  • Helped guide the Crimson Tide to a 13-1 start to the season, including an 11-match winning streak
  • Coached Alabama to the program’s third Blue-Gray National Tennis Classic Title, after defeating three ranked teams in two days
  • Guided UA to a 4-0 start to Southeastern Conference play
  • Helped the team earn the No. 13 national ranking
  • The Crimson Tide remained ranked by the ITA for the entire 2024 season

Prior to Alabama

  • Started for the Tide all four years of her career
  • Named 2020 SEC Women's Tennis Scholar-Athlete of the Year
  • 2-time CoSIDA Academic All-American (2020, 2021)
  • Received SEC Player of the Week honors (Feb. 5, 2020 and Feb. 12, 2020)
  • ITA Southern Region Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award Winner
  • Team Captain & Member of Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (2019-2021)