Rice University Athletics
Samson Larson Named Women’s Tennis Associate Head Coach
6/29/2026 1:32:00 PM | Women's Tennis
HOUSTON – Rice head women's tennis coach Elizabeth Schmidt has announced the addition of Samson Larson as associate head coach.
"Samson will be a great addition to our coaching staff," Schmidt said. "Not only is he an extremely hard worker with a great tennis mind, but he is also a genuine and kind person. Samson is an up-and-coming coach with so many qualities that will make him a wonderful mentor for our team. Jeanette and I are looking forward to working alongside him."
Larson joins the Owls after spending the 2025-26 season as an assistant coach at Colorado, where he helped guide the Buffaloes to 11 weeks in the ITA national rankings and continued the program's success against a challenging schedule.
Before Colorado, Larson served as an assistant coach at the University of Portland from 2023-25. During his two seasons with the Pilots, he coached four All-West Coast Conference selections and helped a doubles team qualify for the ITA Conference Masters.
As a student-athlete at Portland State, Larson competed during the 2016-17 season and earned Academic All-Big Sky Conference honors as a freshman in 2017.
"I am beyond thankful to Elizabeth and Rice University for the opportunity and trust they have shown in welcoming me into their program," Larson said. "Rice University is known for its culture of excellence, and I am thrilled to be a part of such a program. Go Owls!"
"Samson will be a great addition to our coaching staff," Schmidt said. "Not only is he an extremely hard worker with a great tennis mind, but he is also a genuine and kind person. Samson is an up-and-coming coach with so many qualities that will make him a wonderful mentor for our team. Jeanette and I are looking forward to working alongside him."
Larson joins the Owls after spending the 2025-26 season as an assistant coach at Colorado, where he helped guide the Buffaloes to 11 weeks in the ITA national rankings and continued the program's success against a challenging schedule.
Before Colorado, Larson served as an assistant coach at the University of Portland from 2023-25. During his two seasons with the Pilots, he coached four All-West Coast Conference selections and helped a doubles team qualify for the ITA Conference Masters.
As a student-athlete at Portland State, Larson competed during the 2016-17 season and earned Academic All-Big Sky Conference honors as a freshman in 2017.
"I am beyond thankful to Elizabeth and Rice University for the opportunity and trust they have shown in welcoming me into their program," Larson said. "Rice University is known for its culture of excellence, and I am thrilled to be a part of such a program. Go Owls!"
Wednesday, March 09
Saturday, December 04
Thursday, December 02