Contact: Scott Reed, Illinois College Director of Sports Information, scott.reed@ic.edu
JACKSONVILLE, Illinois - Illinois College announced a leadership transition within its tennis programs on Tuesday (June 9), with Patrick Embley elevated to head coach and Scott Weakley moving into the role of associate head coach. The move is effective immediately.
Embley, who joined the program as an assistant, will lead both the men's and women's teams. Weakley, a stalwart of IC tennis, will continue to provide strategic guidance, on-court coaching and recruiting, as well as mentorship and continuity in his new role.
Embley is a native of Jerseyville, Illinois and went to Western Illinois University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in French Education. Then, he attended Lincoln Christian Seminary for his Master of Divinity. An avid tennis player throughout his life, Embley has served as the assistant coach for the men's and women's tennis teams at IC since the 2024 season.
"Both the men's and women's tennis programs at Illinois College are building momentum both on and off the court, and we believe elevating Patrick to head coach while keeping Scott's trusted leadership in place as associate head coach positions our tennis programs for continued growth and success," IC Athletic Director Meghan Roman said.
Under Weakley's tenure, IC tennis has expanded its competitive footprint, with both the men's and women's programs having qualified for the Midwest Conference postseason tournaments. The women have reached the tournament in each of the past four years, while the men have qualified the last two seasons.
"I'm honored to step into this role and excited to build on the culture Coach Weakley has established," Embley said. "With Scott's continued mentorship, our student-athletes will benefit from a collaborative coaching model focused on development, accountability and competing at a championship standard."
"This is the right move for our program and our student-athletes. Patrick's vision and work ethic are exceptional, and I look forward to supporting him while continuing to do what I love — coaching our teams," Weakley added.