RJ Nagel enters his second year with Harvard women's tennis in 2024-25 after joining the staff as an assistant coach in the summer of 2024. After one year with Harvard, Nagel was elevated to Associate Head Coach in the summer of 2025.
Under his guidance in 2024-25 the Crimson won its first Ivy League title since 2017 and went undefeated in conference play for the first time since 2006. Alongside Traci Green and fellow assistant coach, Khary Pryce, the Harvard staff was named the Ivy League Coaching Staff of the Year. Under Nagel's direction Harvard earned six All-Ivy honors. Holly Fischer '25 was named unanimous first team All-Ivy for singles and first team All-Ivy for doubles with Stephanie Yakoff '27. Yakoff was also named second team All-Ivy for singles. Maxi Duncan '25 and Charlotte Owensby '26 were each named honorable mention All-Ivy for singles and Duncan and Kavya Karra '27 rounded out the honors with a honorable mention All-Ivy nod for doubles. In the fall season, Nagel played a key role in helping the Crimson get a duo to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006. Stephanie Yakoff and Kavya Karra advanced to the NCAA Division I Women's Doubles Championship after winning the ITA New England Regional.
Nagel joined the Crimson following a six-year stint as an assistant coach at with the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) men's tennis team. While with the Rams, Nagel helped lift the team to an overall record of 79-31, five conference titles, and five NCAA tournament appearances.
Throughout his time at VCU, Nagel coached Charles Bertimon to the NCAA Singles tournament and an A-10 most outstanding player award. He also guided Bertimon and his twin brother Max to a NCAA Doubles semifinal appearance.
Prior to VCU, Nagel spent six years as an assistant coach for University of Louisiana-Monroe (ULM) women's tennis. During his tenure, he helped guide the Warhawks to a Sunbelt Conference Tournament Championship and a top-50 ITA ranking, peaking at No. 46 in the 2011 season. The top-50 spot marked the Warhawks first national ranking since 2003.
Outside of his collegiate coaching experience, Nagel spent time as a hitting partner for formally ranked No. 11 in the world player, Shahar Peer.
As a player, Nagel enjoyed a successful three-year career spanning from 2006 to 2008 at the University of South Alabama. In his final collegiate season, the South Africa native compiled an individual record of 20-1 and reached a peak of No. 11 in the ITA Regional Doubles rankings with partner, Jack Baker. Nagel also helped lead the Jaguars to back-to-back Sunbelt Conference Championships in 2007 and 2008.
Nagel ultimately graduated with a Bachelor in Sport and Fitness Administration from South Alabama in 2009. He would go on to also complete a Masters in Kinesiology in 2012 and a Masters in Sport and Fitness Administration in 2014 from ULM.
