Women's Tennis
Per Nilsson
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- PerN@gators.ufl.edu
- Phone:
- 4600
Per Nilsson was named head coach of the Gators on Oct. 29, 2024, and is the seventh head coach in program history.
In his first season with the Gators, Nilsson coached doubles tandem Alicia Dudeney and Rachel Gailis to the NCAA Final Four. Dudeney and Gailis bested the No. 1 seed in the quarterfinals of the tournament, earning All-America status in the process. They would go on to rank as high as No. 3 in the nation, and earn Second-Team, All-SEC honors.
In 2025-26, Nilsson guided Florida to its 42nd NCAA Tournament appearance in 44 opportunities, going 17-8 overall, and finishing the year ranked 18th in the country.
The Lund, Sweden native joined the Gators after nine years as the head coach at Pepperdine (2015-2024). While with the Waves, Nilsson posted a 211-48 (.815) overall record and led them to every possible West Coast Conference regular season (9) and tournament (8) title.
Pepperdine made the NCAA Tournament each season during Nilsson’s tenure, including a championship debut in 2021, a semifinals appearance in 2024, and four trips to the quarterfinals (2016, 2017, 2019, 2022). From 2016-24, the Wave finished each season ranked in the ITA Top-10.
Before Nilsson was named head coach of the Waves, he served as the head men’s tennis coach at fellow SEC school, Mississippi State. Between 2008 and 2014, Nilsson led the Bulldogs to back-to-back SEC West titles (2011, 2012) and brought Mississippi State to four straight NCAA Tournaments from 2011-2014.
During his six seasons at Mississippi State, Nilsson developed four ITA All-Americans, 17 All-SEC selections, three SEC Freshman of the Year, and one ITA National Freshman of the Year. Nilsson was also honored as the SEC Coach of the Year in 2011 and received the Southern Regional Coach of the Year award in 2011 and 2013.
Before Nilsson’s time in Starkville, he spent five season as the assistant coach for Pepperdine’s men’s tennis team under Adam Steinberg, who is now the current head coach of Florida’s Men’s Tennis team. Gator men’s coach. During their five seasons together, the Waves went 119-38 and won the 2006 NCAA Championship.
Nilsson played collegiately at Mississippi State from 1991-94 and served as team captain his senior year. While playing for the Bulldogs, Nilsson and his teammates earned three consecutive top-10 national rankings and received three bids into the NCAA Tournament (1992, 1993, 1994). Nilsson capped off his college career in the 1994 NCAA Tournament final four and was ranked No. 6 on the Bulldogs’ all-time career victory list in both singles and doubles.
Following his playing career, Nilsson was the student assistant coach for the Bulldogs from 1995-1996 before accepting roles as a tennis professional at Capital City Country Club and St. Marlo Country Club. Nilsson also served as the Director of Tennis at Apalachee Farms before returning to college athletics.
Nilsson earned a degree in business and sports administration from Mississippi State in 2008. Nilsson is married to the former Beth Vennerstrom, and the two have a son, Reef.
In his first season with the Gators, Nilsson coached doubles tandem Alicia Dudeney and Rachel Gailis to the NCAA Final Four. Dudeney and Gailis bested the No. 1 seed in the quarterfinals of the tournament, earning All-America status in the process. They would go on to rank as high as No. 3 in the nation, and earn Second-Team, All-SEC honors.
In 2025-26, Nilsson guided Florida to its 42nd NCAA Tournament appearance in 44 opportunities, going 17-8 overall, and finishing the year ranked 18th in the country.
The Lund, Sweden native joined the Gators after nine years as the head coach at Pepperdine (2015-2024). While with the Waves, Nilsson posted a 211-48 (.815) overall record and led them to every possible West Coast Conference regular season (9) and tournament (8) title.
Pepperdine made the NCAA Tournament each season during Nilsson’s tenure, including a championship debut in 2021, a semifinals appearance in 2024, and four trips to the quarterfinals (2016, 2017, 2019, 2022). From 2016-24, the Wave finished each season ranked in the ITA Top-10.
Before Nilsson was named head coach of the Waves, he served as the head men’s tennis coach at fellow SEC school, Mississippi State. Between 2008 and 2014, Nilsson led the Bulldogs to back-to-back SEC West titles (2011, 2012) and brought Mississippi State to four straight NCAA Tournaments from 2011-2014.
During his six seasons at Mississippi State, Nilsson developed four ITA All-Americans, 17 All-SEC selections, three SEC Freshman of the Year, and one ITA National Freshman of the Year. Nilsson was also honored as the SEC Coach of the Year in 2011 and received the Southern Regional Coach of the Year award in 2011 and 2013.
Before Nilsson’s time in Starkville, he spent five season as the assistant coach for Pepperdine’s men’s tennis team under Adam Steinberg, who is now the current head coach of Florida’s Men’s Tennis team. Gator men’s coach. During their five seasons together, the Waves went 119-38 and won the 2006 NCAA Championship.
Nilsson played collegiately at Mississippi State from 1991-94 and served as team captain his senior year. While playing for the Bulldogs, Nilsson and his teammates earned three consecutive top-10 national rankings and received three bids into the NCAA Tournament (1992, 1993, 1994). Nilsson capped off his college career in the 1994 NCAA Tournament final four and was ranked No. 6 on the Bulldogs’ all-time career victory list in both singles and doubles.
Following his playing career, Nilsson was the student assistant coach for the Bulldogs from 1995-1996 before accepting roles as a tennis professional at Capital City Country Club and St. Marlo Country Club. Nilsson also served as the Director of Tennis at Apalachee Farms before returning to college athletics.
Nilsson earned a degree in business and sports administration from Mississippi State in 2008. Nilsson is married to the former Beth Vennerstrom, and the two have a son, Reef.
| Year | School | Overall | Pct. | Conference | Finish | Conf. Tourn. | NCAA Finish | Final Rank |
| Men | ||||||||
| 2008 | Miss. State | 8-12 | .400 | 2-9 | 11th | 1st Rd | DNA | 58 |
| 2009 | Miss. State | 6-15 | .286 | 2-9 | T10th | 1st Rd | DNA | 72 |
| 2010 | Miss. State | 10-12 | .455 | 2-8 | 10th | Quarters | DNA | 48 |
| 2011 | Miss. State | 14-9 | .609 | 8-3 | T3rd | 1st Rd | 2nd Rd | 20 |
| 2012 | Miss. State | 20-7 | .741 | 9-2 | 3rd | Semis | 2nd Rd | 11 |
| 2013 | Miss. State | 18-10 | .643 | 6-6 | T7th | 2nd Rd | 3rd Rd | 11 |
| 2014 | Miss. State | 19-11 | .633 | 7-5 | 5th | 2nd Rd | 2nd Rd | 19 |
| Total: | 95-76 | .556 | 36-42 | |||||
| Women | ||||||||
| 2015 | Pepperdine | 18-7 | .720 | 8-1 | T1st | Champs | 2nd Rd | 22 |
| 2016 | Pepperdine | 24-3 | .889 | 9-0 | 1st | Champs | Quarters | 9 |
| 2017 | Pepperdine | 24-5 | .828 | 9-0 | 1st | Champs | Quarters | 8 |
| 2018 | Pepperdine | 24-3 | .889 | 9-0 | 1st | Champs | 3rd Rd | |
| 2019 | Pepperdine | 24-4 | .857 | 9-0 | 1st | Champs | Quarters | 6 |
| 2020 | Pepperdine | 8-4 | .667 | Canceled | Canceled | Canceled | ||
| 2021 | Pepperdine | 25-4 | .862 | 8-0 | 1st | Canceled | Finals | 4 |
| 2022 | Pepperdine | 23-7 | .767 | 7-0 | 1st | Champs | Quarters | 8 |
| 2023 | Pepperdine | 20-4 | .833 | 7-0 | 1st | Champs | 3rd Rd | 6 |
| 2024 | Pepperdine | 21-7 | .750 | 6-0 | 1st | Champs | Semis | 6 |
| 2025 | Florida | 9-14 | .391 | 4-11 | 12th | 2nd Rd | DNA | 34 |
| 2026 | Florida | 17-8 | .680 | 10-5 | 6th | Quarters | 2nd Rd | 18 |
| Total: | 237-70 | .772 | 86-17 |
| Per Nilsson File |
| Birthdate: |
| June 11, 1972 |
| Collegiate (Mississippi State: 1992-94) |
| Mississippi State (1992-94). MSU won 1993 SEC title. Team captain as a senior in 1994 |
| Coaching Career |
| Florida Head Women’s Coach (fall 2024-present) |
| Pepperdine Head Women’s Coach (summer 2014-fall 2024) |
| Mississippi State Head Men’s Coach (2008-14) |
| Pepperdine Assistant Men’s Coach (2003-07) |
| 1998-2000 Apalachee Farms Director of Tennis |
| 1995-98 Tennis Professional at Capital City Country Club and St. Mario Country Club |
| 1994-95 Mississippi State Student Assistant Men’s Coach |
| Coaching Honors |
| 2017, 2018, 2019 ITA Southwest Regional Women’s Coach of the Year |
| 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021 West Coast Conference Women’s Coach of the Year |
| 2011 & 2013 ITA Southern Region Men’s Coach of the Year |
| 2011 SEC Men’s Coach of the Year |
| Degree: |
| Business and Sports Administration from Mississippi State (2008) |
Thursday, February 12
Sunday, May 05
Saturday, May 04
Saturday, May 06
