On February 2016, Director of Athletics Matt Tanney announced that Western Illinois Athletics has named Mirko Bjelica the head coach of the women's tennis program.
Bjelica joins the staff after spending the last two seasons as the assistant coach of the men's tennis program at Tennessee Tech. A native of Tivat, Montenegro, Bjelica brings more than 20 years of coaching experience to the Fighting Leatherneck women's tennis program.
In 2016-17, Bjelica helped turn the Leathernecks around to their first Summit League win since 2011, which snapped a 34-conference match losing streak. He helped the team finish 9-14 overall with a 3-3 mark in Summit League action. That season, he also coached freshman Natalia Bravo to Summit League Newcomer of the Year honors.
In his first season as WIU's head coach, Bjelica coached the team to a 6-13 overall record, its best since the 2009-10 season. He also helped Courtney Lubbers to her second-career Summit League Athlete of the Week honor.
"Mirko brings a unique combination of international and intercollegiate coaching and playing experience that will serve our student-athletes well," said Tanney. "I look forward to continued growth and success of the women's tennis program under his leadership."
At Tennessee Tech, he coached the men's team to a 2015 Ohio Valley Conference regular season co-championship title and coached the 2015 OVC 'Player of the Year' and 'Freshman of the Year'.
Before his time at Tennesee Tech, Bjelica spent five years as the head coach of the Montenegro national team where he prepared several junior and adult players for national and international tournaments and led the team to an 18-12 record.
Bjelica has also served a private head coach for several professional clubs where organized tennis leagues, clinics, tournaments, and other social events.
A 1993 graduate of Georgia State, Bjelica earned a Bachelor of Arts in finance and Bachelor of Science in education. He was also a member of the tennis team and severed as team captain his senior season. Prior to Georgia State, Bjelica played one season at Campbell University where he earned Big South All-Conference honors in 1989.
Bjelica and his wife Margaret have five children, Mary, Ana, Lidia, Sara, and Luke.
