Chad Kissell was announced as the assistant coach of the Wichita State women's tennis program on September 22, 2025.
In his first season with the women's team, Kissell helped the Shockers to one of the most successful seasons in program history. The Shockers went 21-5, going 19-3 in the regular season and 8-1 against American Conference teams when including the conference tournament. The Shockers were ranked as high as No. 24 in the nation during the season and was ranked in the top 40 12 times. Giorgia Roselli and Xin Tong Wang were ranked as high as No. 9 in doubles during the season, while Wang, Roselli and Theodora Chantava all were ranked in singles at different points during the season. The Shockers earned an at-large bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament, the 13th all-time appearance in program history, and first since 2018.
Kissell helped the Shockers accomplish a tremendous feat, winning 19 consecutive matches and breaking the program record for the longest winning streak of 17 set back in 2016. The Shockers completed an undefeated home campaign, going 9-0, and earned six wins against Power Four opponents. Wichita State players won five American Conference Player of the Week awards, the most the Shockers have had in a single season since joining the American in 2018.
Kissell helped coach three Shockers to all-conference honors in 2026, with Wang being named the American Conference Player of the Year, while also being a unanimous all-conference selection. Roselli and Chantava were also selected to the all-conference team, with Roselli also being a unanimous choice. The Shockers earned the No. 1 seed in the 2026 American Conference Championship, finishing as runner-up. It was the first time Wichita State reached the American Conference championship match in history.
Kissell returned to Wichita State after serving as an assistant coach for the Wichita State men's tennis program during the 2024 season.
Between his Shocker assistant stints, he spent one year as the assistant women's coach at Western Michigan, under his sister Joelle. Kissell helped the Broncos to a 12-win season in his lone year in Kalamazoo.
Kissell played collegiately at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. He was a two-time Horizon League All-League First Team selection, and he was named the Horizon League Freshman of the Year after the 2015-16 season. He totaled a singles record of 65-35, which includes a dominant 23-4 record in 2016-17, which set the Valparaiso men's tennis record for singles wins in a season.
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In addition to his collegiate success, Kissell also played professionally, competing in the International Tennis Federation Men's Circuit. While on the circuit, Kissell climbed to a world ranking as high as #967, which he reached on June 12th, 2023.
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A native of Latrobe, Pa., Kissell graduated from Valparaiso in 2018 with a bachelor's degree.
