Jeff Cero leads the men's tennis program at George Fox, taking the reins as the program's fourth head coach beginning with the 2019-20 season. Cero also serves as the co-director of the Bruins' tennis facility, offering lessons and private sessions to the community. Cero was honored by the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) for his efforts as Director of Facilities, with the Bruins' Multi-Use Facility being named the Pacific Northwest Small Facility of the Year in 2019-20.
In Cero's first season at the controls, the Bruins went 3-3 in a season halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bruins showed plenty of promise, however, as all three of their losses came to NCAA DI opponents. The Bruins ended the year on a two-match winning streak and were a perfect 2-0 in conference play before the season was halted. Will Leach defended his ITA Regional singles crown successfully in the fall of 2019 and earned the right to play at the ITA Cup in Rome, Ga., a program-first for the junior. Leach's successful ITA defense makes him the first All-American that Cero has mentored in a head coaching role.
Fox bounced back from the pandemic in 2020-21 with one of its best seasons to date. Under coach Cero's direction, the Bruins finished with the No. 8 ranking in NCAA DIII, an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA tournament, the program's first NWC titles - regular season and tournament championship - and multiple All-Conference, All-Region, and All-American honors.
In 2021-22, coach Cero eclipsed 25 collegiate wins with a 9-0 sweep of Lewis & Clark on Apr. 2. Under Cero's direction, the Bruins picked up their second consecutive NWC title, finishing the season with an 8-0 conference record and an appearance to the NCAA tournament.
Cero capped another undefeated NWC season, finishing with a 7-0 record in the conference. Fox took down second-seeded Pacific, 5-1, to win their third consectuive NWC title and earned another trip to the NCAA playoffs. At the national tournament, the Bruins advanced to the NCAA Second Round. Rox Rogers and Lars Schmassman were both named ITA All-Americans for their performance at the ITA Cup.
Cero joined the program as an associate head coach under Neal Ninteman for the 2018-19 season and helped guide the team to a 12-8 overall record, a 7-1 record against NWC opponents, and an NWC Tournament appearance, where the Bruins finished as runner-up in the championship match. Cero helped lead a program in the 2018-19 season that produced the NWC Freshman of the Year (Luke Lemaitre), four All-NWC players, one NWC Scholar-Athlete, and three ITA All-Americans.
Prior to George Fox, Cero worked as a junior coach at the IMG Academy in 2013. He coached several top-500 ITF Juniors, including two NCAA singles national champions. He also served as the men's and women's tennis coach at Colorado Christian University in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where his women's team set a school record for most wins in a single season (8).
As a collegiate athlete, Cero played at Portland State from 2007 to 2011. He was named team captain his senior season.
Milestones
25 wins - Apr. 2, 2022 vs. Lewis & Clark (9-0)
