Peter Mattera

Bio entering the 2023-24 season.

Peter Mattera, the longest-tenured head coach on Montezuma Mesa, has become synonymous with the success of the San Diego State women's tennis program.

More than three decades into his tenure, his list of accomplishments places him among the most successful coaches in the nation.

In over 30 seasons on the Mesa, Mattera guided the Aztecs' smooth transition from the Western Athletic Conference into the competitive Mountain West Conference, all the while keeping the program in the national spotlight.

Since taking over as head coach in 1993, Mattera has guided San Diego State to 21 winning seasons and 13 berths in the last 26 NCAA tournaments. His career record of 413-320 (.563 winning percentage) is made all the more impressive by playing a schedule that is among the most difficult in the nation year in and year out. Mattera’s 413 career wins and .563 win percentage rank amongst the best among active coaches.

During the 2021-22 season, Mattera led the Aztecs to the NCAA Tournament for the 23rd time in school history. He also led the Aztecs to a Mountain West Conference title, defeating UNLV 4-0 to claim the title. During the 2021-22 season the Aztecs posted a 17-7 record in dual matches, their most wins in a season since the 2012-13 campaign. SDSU also posted a 6-2 record in conference, their most wins since the 2012-13 season, and the best win percentage (.750) in conference play since the 2012-13 season as well. Additionally, under Mattera’s tutelage, Bunyawi Thamchaiwat posted a perfect 11-0 record in dual matches during the 2021-22 season, qualified as an at-large selection for the 2022 NCAA Singles Championships, and became the first Aztec to advance in the tournament since 1986.  

"Being in San Diego allows us to play an unbelievable schedule and have some of the nation's top teams come here to play us," Mattera said. "The city is so attractive and our program is of such quality that it makes us a high-demand team to schedule."

Mattera, who has been coaching tennis at the Division I level for 30 years, was the assistant coach at SDSU for 12 years prior to taking over as head coach in January of 1993.

During Mattera's tenure with the Aztecs, the women's tennis program has been one of the nation's best. Winners of 12 conference championships, SDSU has consistently been ranked among the top 50 teams in the nation.

"The tradition of national prominence and excellence in player development is one in which I am very proud to have played a part," said Mattera. "I fully intend to maintain San Diego State's position among the nation's elite programs."

The SDSU women's tennis program has produced 35 All-Americans and has received invitations to 23 NCAA tournaments.

The Aztecs also boast five conference player-of-the-year awards, 23 all-league doubles teams and 49 all-conference singles selections under Mattera. In addition, SDSU's women's tennis coach has been honored as the Mountain West Coach of the Year three times, including back-to-back honors in 2012 and 2013.

After leading SDSU to the second round of the national championship and a 16-7 overall record in 1998, Mattera was named the NCAA West Regional Coach of the Year. In 2003, he earned conference coach-of-the-year honors after leading the Aztecs to a 22-6 mark. The 22 victories represented the most wins in a single season since 1985 when San Diego State won 26 matches. SDSU also claimed the regular season and postseason MWC championships en route to the NCAA tournament.

Under Mattera, the Aztecs are not only known for their strokes, but also boast one of the more intense conditioning programs in collegiate tennis. Distance running, weight training, on-court agility drills, plyometrics and several hours every week of one-on-one drilling makes the women's team among the most well-conditioned in Division I tennis.

"We are tremendously proud of our reputation for taking people who want to work and making them as good as they can be," Mattera said.

Known for his emphasis on the complete student-athlete, Mattera's teams have earned 92 academic all-Mountain West Conference awards in the last 16 seasons. During his tenure in San Diego, Aztec women's tennis has produced two NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipients and three Academic All-Americans.

"There is a real satisfaction in watching these young ladies come into the University and develop into such outstanding student-athletes," Mattera said. "The growth and maturity that takes place during four years of college is really enhanced by the athletic experience."

Mattera received his Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education at San Diego State in 1980, and master's in physical education from SDSU in 1991.

"One of my favorite sayings that I like to share with my players is, `Do what you love, love what you do,'" said Mattera. "I have been blessed to live that philosophy now for 32 years coaching this team."

Mattera is married to Beth Mattera. He has two daughters, Kayley and Torre, and three granddaughters, Ainsley (5), Cameron (3), and Kacey (1).