Our Coaching Team
Championship experience. Proven leadership. A coaching team dedicated to player development, performance, and unity.
John Armstrong
RSPA Elite Professional and RSPA District President of Idaho
Building champions through teamwork and preparation
Sean Kane
East Idaho Head Coach
Consistency, culture, and competitive edge
Mark Nielsen
West Idaho Training Coach
Character first, performance follows
Tor Lynn
East Idaho Development Coach
Developing skills with purpose and clarity
West Idaho Head Coach
John Armstrong
John Armstrong got his start as the boys’ and girls’ head coach for four years at Berkeley High School. Locally, John has built one of Idaho’s most dominant high school tennis programs at Bishop Kelly. Since taking over in 2005, he has led the Knights to 13 state championships and 27 district titles. His teams have claimed multiple title streaks, including three-peats (2005–07, 2014–16) and an eight-year run of three straight state championships (2021–2023). Most recently (2023), the Knights claimed both girls’ and boys’ state titles for the second time. Armstrong has been named RSPA Intermountain High School Coach of the Year three times (2019, 2021, 2023) and received Idaho’s Distinguished Coach of the Year in 2022. He has earned multiple “Coach of the Year” honors across district and state levels. Beyond Bishop Kelly, Armstrong is the Principal Tennis Professional at Boise Racquet and Swim Club and serves as RSPA District President for Idaho, where he mentors coaches and promotes junior development statewide.
East Idaho Head Coach
Sean Kane
Sean is a highly respected tennis coach with over 20 years of experience building and leading successful high school programs. For the past 18 years, he has served as the head coach at Century High School, where he has developed one of the most accomplished and consistent tennis programs in the region. Under his leadership, Century has captured 9 state championships and 25 district titles, while compiling an outstanding dual match record of 275 wins to just 67 losses. Sean has coached state champions in every category — boys’ and girls’ singles, boys’ and girls’ doubles, and mixed doubles — with numerous seasons featuring multiple athletes advancing to state finals. He has been recognized multiple times with “Coach of the Year” honors at both the district and state levels and led Century to a historic victory at the prestigious Capital Invitational.
East Idaho Development Coach
Tor Lynn
Tor is a dedicated tennis coach with over 15 years of experience as both a player and instructor. He specializes in player development, tournament preparation, and skill enhancement for athletes of all levels. Whether coaching competitive juniors or adult recreational players, Tor brings a comprehensive, technique-focused approach that empowers athletes to perform at their best. Tor has served as the Idaho District Tennis Association (IDTA) Area League Coordinator and Junior Team Tennis (JTT) Coordinator, playing an integral role in growing and organizing youth tennis programs across the region. Currently coaching high school tennis and leading junior development programs locally, Tor remains actively involved in the broader tennis community.
West Idaho Training Coach
Mark Nielsen
Mark was an NCAA All-American tennis player at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he was named Athlete of the Year and honored with the USTA Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award, recognizing excellence both on and off the court. Over the past four years, Mark has brought his competitive experience and passion for the sport to the Treasure Valley Catholic Schools (TVCS) tennis program. Under his leadership, the program has seen significant success, earning two first-place finishes and two second-place finishes at the district level. Mark’s coaching style focuses on building both skill and character, preparing athletes to compete with confidence and integrity.
Coaching Philosophy
Player Development
Technical, tactical, and mental training to compete as a team at the highest levels.
Team Unity
Culture, accountability, and roles that elevate the whole program.
Excellence
Habits and standards that translate to college tennis and beyond.