STANFORD, Calif. – Ten-year ATP professional James McGee has been added to Paul A. Violich Director of Women’s Tennis Frankie Brennan’s as an assistant coach, Brennan announced Tuesday.
“We are thrilled to have James join our staff,” Brennan said. “He comes with a wealth of experience, both as a player and as a coach. His love for tennis, his positive energy and his enthusiasm at every practice has already had a direct effect on our program and student-athletes. James brings lots of new ideas and drills from his time on the ATP tour, all of which fit into our coaching style and philosophies here on The Farm.”
“I am incredibly excited and honored to join the Stanford women’s tennis program,” McGee said. “Stanford has an extraordinary tradition of excellence, in competition and in the classroom, and I feel privileged to become part of such a special community. I look forward to contributing to the program’s continued success and supporting our student-athletes in all aspects of their growth, both on and off the court.”
McGee enjoyed an extensive professional playing career from 2008-18, spending five consecutive seasons inside the ATP top 200 and reaching as high as No. 146. He finished as Ireland’s No. 1 ranked player for seven consecutive years and represented his country in Davis Cup competition for nine seasons.
McGee won four ITF Futures singles titles, including the Irish Open, and the 2016 Cary ATP Challenger. He qualified for the 2014 US Open main draw and played 24 Grand Slam matches across all four majors, including qualifying, and competed in the main draw of ATP 250 and ATP 500 events, and in ATP Masters 1000 events.
Following his playing career, McGee worked at No Quit Tennis Academy in Las Vegas until 2025, eventually climbing to the role of executive director where he led strategy, programming, and culture for an academy serving 200+ families. He managed 12 coaches and worked for 18 months alongside fellow co-director Dave Macpherson, the 15-year coach of Stanford greats Bob and Mike Bryan. While in Vegas, McGee also coached academy groups and upward of 10 annual private clients, including multiple U.S. No. 1 age-group players. He also earned recognition as the 2022 USTA Nevada High-Performance Coach of the Year.
Outside of coaching, McGee also spent seven years as director at TEAM BRYAN, an ICF youth program supported by the Bryan brothers, serving approximately 100 underserved players ages 10-19 annually. He served as the on-site residential program supervisor for the boys’ residence and provided additional mentoring for young people navigating significant personal challenges.
Most recently in 2026 before coming to The Farm, McGee supported WTA doubles player Asia Muhammad as part of her coaching team at the 2026 Australian Open, and coached, travelled and trained Ireland's No. 1 and No. 2 junior players Eoghan Jennings and James McGloughlin.
McGee competed collegiately at NC State in for two seasons before turning professional in July 2008. He earned All-ACC honors in 2008 while competing at No. 1 singles. He was 7-4 in the ACC, defeated four nationally ranked opponents and was 14-8 overall. McGee clinched NC State’s 2007 NCAA Tournament victory over Texas to secure the program’s first-ever quarterfinal appearance.