Jordan Letterman nearly called it quits on tennis in high school, and later considered a completely different career path in college. But after years of playing the game and learning from his own coaches, he now finds himself heading the West Plains High School boys and girls tennis programs — an opportunity he views as much about working with young players as it is about winning matches.
"Last year was my first year teaching and coaching, so I was only an assistant coach for one season," Letterman said. "During that year, I had the opportunity to serve as the assistant coach for both the boys and girls tennis programs. It was an incredible learning experience that helped prepare me for this opportunity."
Letterman came to West Plains after growing up in Forsyth, where he played all four years at Forsyth High School, qualifying for the Missouri state tournament in doubles as a junior.
COVID-19 canceled his senior season, but his trajectory remained steady. He earned a tennis scholarship to Evangel University in Springfield, where he played for four years while earning a degree in physical education.
Tennis kept giving him opportunities, he noted, but it hadn't always been the long-term plan.
Letterman began college as a criminal justice major. Then, one weekend, he went home and sat down with his old coaches from Forsyth, Jim Voliva and Paul Voliva. He asked them why they chose coaching and teaching, and their answer flipped a switch.
"They simply told me they wanted to make a difference in kids' lives," Letterman said. "That conversation changed everything for me."
He changed his major, realizing he could not only help students but truly impact their lives the same way his coaches impacted his.
"I hope they leave as better tennis players but even more importantly, better people," he said of his teams. "I want them to develop confidence, discipline, resilience and friendships they'll remember long after their playing days are over."
Letterman arrived at West Plains knowing he was taking a chance on a community two hours from home. He remembers telling his fiancée, Kayli Thomas, before his interview that there was no way they were moving that far away.
"Then I called her after my interview and said, 'I think we're moving two hours away,'" Letterman said. "It’s become home for my family, and I’m proud to be a Zizzer."
His first year gave him a front-row seat to the tennis programs as he worked under two head coaches: Heidi Schneider on the girls team and Nathan Huddleston on the boys. That experience, he said, taught him there isn't only one way to coach a team.
"I really enjoyed learning from both of the head coaches I worked under," he said. "They each coached differently, but they both genuinely cared about their athletes and wanted what was best for them."
As an assistant, he got to know the players, learn their personalities and figure out what makes them tick.
"I think it was the perfect introduction year because I got to earn their trust, learn their personalities and understand what motivates each of them," he said.
Then came the head coaching job.
"Honestly, I was just incredibly grateful," he said. "Last year was my first year teaching, so to be offered the opportunity to become a head coach this early in my career means a lot."
He acknowledged the rapid promotion is unusual.
"It shows how much faith the administration has in me and the potential they see in me," he said. "I definitely don't take it for granted. I feel blessed and motivated to prove they made the right choice."
An assistant helps carry somebody else's vision, but as a head coach, you need your own.
"You're building your own coaching philosophy, setting the culture and handling all of the behind-the-scenes responsibilities that most people never see," Letterman said. "There is so much that happens behind the scenes that I never realized until stepping into this role."
He wants his players to get out on the court and compete hard without losing sight of how they go about it.
"Whether we win or lose, I want other schools and our community to recognize that we play the game the right way," he said.
Letterman describes his coaching style as positive and energetic, firmly believing in the value of hard work.
"I’m a huge believer that sports should be fun," he said. "I love joking with my players and creating an environment where they enjoy coming to practice. At the same time, I also believe there’s a time to have fun and a time to work hard."
The long-term plan is to eventually divide players according to experience, allowing beginners to establish a foundation while more advanced players work on strategy and match play. But first, Letterman wants everyone moving in the same direction.
By his third year, he hopes his assistant coach — his fiancée, Thomas — can lead beginning players through that foundation while he works with experienced players on more advanced skills. For now, though, Letterman is building a foundation based on patience.
"Improvement doesn’t happen overnight," he said. "Success is built one practice, one point and one day at a time."
Reflecting on his journey, Letterman noted he nearly quit tennis during his junior year of high school while chasing a dream to play college basketball. His tennis coach encouraged him to keep playing while still supporting his basketball ambitions, and looking back, he can see now what he couldn't see then.
"It helped me earn a college education, become a teacher and now become a head coach in just my second year," he said. "Sometimes you never know what opportunities can come from simply giving something a chance."
Letterman still considers himself a student of tennis, education and life. He graduated from Evangel University in May 2025 but doesn't consider the degree an ending.
"Graduating college didn’t mean I stopped being a student," he said.
Looking ahead, he sees a West Plains program capable of competing at a high level year after year, with younger players developing, experienced players becoming leaders and everyone taking pride in wearing the school colors.
"That’s the kind of program I am trying to build here at West Plains," Letterman said. "We may not be where we want to be today, but if we stay patient, work hard and continue pushing one another, I truly believe the best days of West Plains tennis are still ahead of us."
