Contact: Alex Mielcarz, Athletics Communication Graduate Assistant, ajmielcarz@noctrl.edu
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (June 16, 2026) – Senior Director of Athletics Jim Miller '86 announced Joey Leto as the next head coach of the men's and women's tennis programs at North Central College. Leto served as the interim coach of both programs beginning in January, taking over for Nathaniel Boatwright, under whom he served as an assistant for a year and a half.
"Our tennis programs continued to thrive during Coach Leto's tenure as our interim head coach," Miller said. "The leadership Coach Leto showed during this time was highlighted when the men's team won the regular season title outright this Spring term.
"After the women's team won the regular season during the Fall term, both teams made the conference championship final," Miller continued. "These successes led to a confident decision to promote Coach Leto."
Leto joined the North Central coaching staff before the 2024-25 season. In his time as an assistant, he helped lead both programs to College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) regular-season and tournament championships, assisting both the men's and women's programs to wins in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. Abigail Penados and Ramon Vilarroig Martinez both won CCIW Student-Athlete of the Year honors on the women's and men's sides, respectively, during the 2024-25 campaign.
"In my two years here, I've gotten to experience great success in both our men's and women's programs," Leto said. "I'm excited for what's next. I think we are capable of taking our program to the next level with the resources we have at North Central."
In the Fall portion of the 2025-26 season, Leto was a part of the CCIW Women's Tennis Coaching Staff of the Year as an assistant coach, and was awarded the CCIW Men's Tennis Coaching Staff of the Year honor as the interim coach in the Spring.
Under his leadership, the men's tennis program turned in a 15-8 duals record, going a perfect 6-0 in home matches, and a spotless 7-0 in CCIW contests, winning the regular season banner. The Cardinals finished as runners-up in the CCIW Tournament, falling in the championship match.
"I think I learned a lot by becoming the Interim coach mid-season, dealing with the adversities of mid-season change," Leto said. "I'm looking forward to next season and ready for any challenge that come our way."
Leto brings a wealth of knowledge and experience into the program. He has served as a coach at the Naperville Tennis Club (NTC) since 2019, working primarily with high-performance juniors. In his time at NTC, Leto has coached IHSA tournament champions, United States Tennis Association national tournament champions, NCAA Division I student-athletes and players who have achieved a professional ranking on the World Tennis Association Tour.
"Coach Leto has brought a valued combination of being a successful collegiate tennis player and a teaching professional instructor," Miller said. "His calm yet competitive demeanor has helped players focus on improving performances during matches."
Leto played his high school tennis at Downers Grove South High School, graduating with the school record for most individual wins in a career and a single season. He was an individual and conference champion all four years, and was a sectional champion as an individual three of his four years. Leto was selected as an All-State Award Winner in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
He parlayed his historic high school career into a playing career at NCAA Division I University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, winning two Horizon League tournaments and qualifying for the NCAA tournament twice during his time with the Phoenix.
"I'd like to thank Jim Miller and the entire athletic department for the opportunity," Leto said. "I'm very excited to take on this opportunity. Tennis is a lifelong journey, but college tennis was some of the best years of my life.
"It's been fun to be a part of that again, and being able to take my experiences as a player and coach to North Central."
