Cooper Knutsen

Varsity and JV Assistant Coach

Cooper is a former state champion tennis player, winning the No. 1 singles title and earning Class 4A Player of the Year honors during his senior season. He achieved a top-two ranking in Oklahoma and was ranked among the top 200 players nationally.

Cooper played both singles and doubles at Franklin & Marshall College before transferring to the University of Minnesota. He brings over seven years of coaching experience, leading group training sessions and individual lessons, and is passionate about developing players at all levels.

Howard Johnson

Head JV Coach

Howard Johnson is a highly respected tennis coach with a lifelong commitment to the sport as a player, coach, and mentor. A graduate of Pepperdine University, Johnson was an All-American tennis player and competed against many of the world’s top collegiate and professional athletes. He also served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam era, earning multiple All-Navy Tennis honors and serving as the personal tennis coach to Admiral G. R. Luker aboard the aircraft carriers Hornet and Yorktown.

Johnson joined Providence Academy in 2016, returning to coach the JV tennis program after previously leading the program earlier in his career. In addition to his work at Providence, he has spent decades teaching and developing young players through junior camps and private instruction. Known for his emphasis on fundamentals, character development, and mentorship, Coach Johnson remains passionate about helping student-athletes grow both on the court and in life.

Lynda Stelter

Assistant JV Coach

Lynda Stelter serves as the boys tennis middle school head coach and assistant JV coach at Providence Academy. This is her third season with the Providence boys tennis program.

Stelter brings seven years of coaching experience from the Wayzata High School girls tennis program, where she also led summer girls tennis camps. She is passionate about player development and helping student-athletes grow both on and off the court.