James Gleghorn enters his first season as the head coach of the Valpo tennis program in 2026-2027.
Gleghorn spent the last four seasons as the head coach of the men's and women's programs at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marian, Ind., where he led the women's program to a Top 20 NAIA national ranking in each season.
During his time at Indiana Wesleyan, Gleghorn coached 16 ITA All-Americans, 10 NAIA All-Americans and three Academic All-Americans. He also coached 49 CSC and Daktronics Scholar-Athletes, eight ITA regional champions, an ITA national semifinalist and 18 all-conference selections. The 2023 and 2024 Crossroads League Coach of the Year, Gleghorn led his team to a No. 8 ranking in the final ITA team rankings in 2024, guided the women's team to conference championships in 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 and had a sixth-place finish at ITA Indoor Nationals 2023, a Round of 32 NAIA appearance in 2023 and a Round of 16 appearance in 2024.
Gleghorn has been involved in collegiate tennis at the national level, as he was host and tournament director of an ITA Regional in each of the last four seasons. Since 2022, he has also served as an ITA West NAIA Women's National Rater. He was a member of the NAIA National Tournament Committee this past season. While at Indiana Wesleyan, Gleghorn also served as an Associate Athletic Director for fundraising, leading a $1.6 million project for a new on-campus tennis complex.
A 1997 Indiana Wesleyan University graduate with a degree in political science and history, Gleghorn served as the head men's tennis coach and interim women's tennis coach at Huntington University in Huntington, Ind. in 1996-97, leading the men's team to a No. 25 NAIA national ranking. He served as a head tennis professional and USPTA pro in Atlanta, Ga. from 1997-2005 and worked as a nonprofit leader at various nonprofits from January 2001 to July 2022 before making his return to the collegiate ranks.
What They're Saying About Coach Gleghorn
Kai Fong, Head Coach, Lewis-Clark State College: "James is a stand-up guy. I have known him as a college recruit. I have coached against him for a few years, and I have worked alongside him on a national-level committee. If I was an AD looking for a tennis coach, James would be the first person I would call up."
Chris Carlson, Associate Athletics Director, UCLA: "James Gleghorn is a fierce competitor, tireless recruiter and a fantastic coach. He has a tremendous work ethic and a unique ability to work favorably with others. The Valpo community has just gotten a tireless advocate for its athletic department and campus as a whole. Coach Gleghorn is a winner!"
Deane Webb, Former Director of Athletics, Indiana Wesleyan University: "James has the experience and tenacity to grow the Valpo women's tennis program into one that will be respected in the Missouri Valley Conference and appreciated on campus in every way. Great hire!"
