Peter Kobelt was named the interim head coach of the Husker men’s tennis team ahead of the 2023-24 season. Additionally, Kobelt made his first hire as he named former NCAA Champion and professional player, Raymond Sarmiento, as an assistant coach.
“Peter has played at the highest level collegiately and also had a productive pro career,” Alberts said. “I know our team will benefit from his competitive nature, proven results and strong desire to elevate our program. Peter has established rapport with this team and has been instrumental in the improvement of our program, and I’m eager to see the continued positive impact he can have on Nebraska Tennis.”
Kobelt joined the Husker tennis program staff as an assistant coach in June of 2022 and helped the team reach an Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) season-high ranking of 45. The Huskers stayed in the top 50 rankings for much of 2022-23.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be the next leader of the Nebraska men’s tennis program,” Kobelt said. “I would like to thank Trev Alberts and Keith Zimmer for their belief in me to continue pushing the program forward. I’d also like to thank Sean Maymi for bringing me to Nebraska and for being a great mentor. Nebraska has become home for me, and I am excited to see what this year’s team can accomplish.”
Kobelt previously served as the volunteer assistant coach at Kentucky for two seasons (2020-22), helping the Wildcats reach the 2022 NCAA finals and a No. 7 national ranking. He was responsible for implementing the doubles strategy and on-court fitness for the entire team and coached the No. 1 ranked ITA player, Liam Draxl, through the semifinals match at the 2021 NCAA Men’s singles competition. Kobelt also played a significant role in the development of No. 4 Gabriel Diallo and No. 33 Millen Hurrion.
Kobelt played collegiately and professionally. On the ITF and ATP men’s professional tours, he peaked with a No. 332 singles and No. 378 doubles ranking. Kobelt was a tennis standout at Ohio State, finishing his career as one of the most successful men’s tennis players in school history. He led Ohio State to its first NCAA National Indoor Team Championship in 2014 and was selected as the 2014 ITA National Indoor Championship’s Most Outstanding Player. Kobelt currently holds the Buckeye all-time record for most career doubles wins with 139 and is No. 4 in Buckeye history with a combined 244 singles and doubles wins. During his career, he held the ITA No. 1 singles ranking and the No. 2 doubles ranking.
A native of New Albany, Ohio, Kobelt earned a bachelor's degree in science of human ecology from Ohio State in 2014.