Northwestern head coach Arvid Swan announced the hiring of Petros Alex on Thursday, adding a coach with a deep résumé of success across multiple Division I programs.
Proven track record at USC
During the 2026 season, Alex guided USC to a 21-7 record and a 12-1 mark in the Big Ten, capturing the regular season championship and advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16. Two doubles teams received Big Ten honors, and four players earned All-American status. Alex also played a role in recruiting USC's top-10 recruiting class, which helped boost the team's national competitiveness.
Experience in conference play
Before USC, Alex coached at Utah State and Oregon. At Utah State, he helped the Aggies finish third in the Mountain West, with four players earning conference honors. At Oregon, the team reached the Pac-12 semifinals, including an upset over top-seeded UCLA. Quinn Vandecasteele, coached by Alex, earned first team all-conference honors and qualified for the NCAA Singles Tournament while at Oregon.
Player and academic background
A former student-athlete himself, Alex played for the University of North Dakota. He helped the Fighting Hawks to a 27-17 record in his final two seasons, reaching the Summit League Tournament semifinals both years.
He remained active in campus life, serving on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Student-Athletes for Inclusion & Diversity. He earned ITA All-Academic honors in all his seasons and graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in communication and a minor in athletic coaching.