SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- John Brown University Director of Athletics Robyn Daugherty announced Monday (May 5) the promotion of Darwin Silva '15 as the head coach for both men's and women's tennis programs at the university.
"We are excited to see another former Golden Eagle take the reins in leading our tennis program," said Daugherty. "Darwin is well-qualified and ready to lead. Former head coach Mike Campbell has done an excellent job over the last 15 months mentoring Darwin in collegiate tennis administration and setting him up for success in the head role. Our student-athletes will benefit from Darwin's vast coaching experience in the USTA and at multiple high schools over the years."
Silva brings extensive coaching experience to JBU after serving the past two years as assistant coach for the Golden Eagles' tennis programs. His coaching background includes successful tenures at multiple levels, including head coaching positions at Siloam Springs High School and in the Mankato, Minnesota public school system, where his teams compiled over 60 combined wins.
"Coaching at the collegiate level has been a dream of mine for many years, and I can't be more blessed to accomplish that dream at a place as dear to my heart as John Brown University," Silva admitted. "I want to thank Robyn Daugherty for believing in me and trusting me with such a great responsibility.
"Coach Mike Campbell has done an outstanding job creating a program with a Christ-centered culture where every player feels loved and cared for. I plan to carry on his legacy and mentor the next generation."
During his time as assistant coach at JBU under Campbell '96, Silva helped guide the women's team to the program's highest single-season win total (11) since the turn of the century during the 2023-24 campaign and helped the Golden Eagle squads construct a 39-33 (.542) combined record over the pair of seasons. He was actively involved in all aspects of the program, assisting with recruiting, travel logistics, match preparation and on-court coaching.
Most recently, Silva served also as head tennis coach at Siloam Springs High School during the 2024-25 season, where he led both boys and girls programs. Under his guidance, the school's No. 1 doubles team went undefeated (14-0) and qualified for the state tournament.
Prior to joining JBU's coaching staff, Silva spent six years (2016-22) as a head coach in the Mankato Area Public Schools in Minnesota, leading both Mankato West girls and Mankato East boys programs. During his tenure, his teams finished with a winning record each season, and he developed more than six athletes who went on to compete at the collegiate level. Concurrently, he served as co-director of the Tennis in Mankato Junior Program, a K-12 developmental program focused on building technical skills and team unity.
In 2006, Silva's coaching career began at Peninsula Covenant Community Center in Redwood City, California, where he worked under Sidney Newcomb '89, Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) alumnus and United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) national tester. There, he provided private lessons, group clinics, USTA team development and video analysis.
As a Golden Eagle, Silva was a dual-sport athlete in the Blue and Gold, competing in both men's tennis and soccer for three seasons, making 35 career appearances on the pitch from 2012-14. He spent one season in junior college, landing on the All-Conference team while competing for Canada College. Silva was later named to the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll for a pair of seasons for his academic achievements.
The native Uruguayan currently serves as a special education teacher and case manager in the Siloam Springs School District and previously held similar positions in Fayetteville Public Schools and various Minnesota school districts. In 2023, he received a Merit Award from Fayetteville Public Schools for his exceptional work in education.
Silva holds a bachelor of arts in intercultural studies from John Brown University (2015) and a master of education in special education from Grand Canyon University (2019). He is a USPTA certified tennis coach since 2022 and holds a US Soccer Federation coaching license.
A regular attendee of Community Christian Fellowship in Siloam Springs, Silva has enjoyed hosting Golden Eagle student-athletes in his home for fellowship and community. He views coaching as a form of ministry and discipleship, describing himself as an "ambassador for Christ" through his professional work.
Silva resides in Farmington, Arkansas with his wife, Kiley, and their two children, Sebastian and Niko.
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