MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas University Athletics has announced the promotion of former Mulerider Tennis Assistant Coach Aleksa Bucan to Interim Head Coach of the Mulerider Men's and Women's Tennis teams.
 
"We are excited to give Coach Bucan the opportunity to lead our men's and women's tennis programs during this transition," stated Director of Athletics Steve Browning. "Having worked alongside Coach Owen this past year, he understands our student-athletes, the culture of our programs and the expectations we have established for Mulerider Tennis. I've been impressed with his energy, work ethic and passion for our student-athletes, and I'm confident he will provide the leadership and stability we need moving forward. We have high expectations for both programs, and I look forward to watching Coach Bucan put his own stamp on them while continuing to build on the success we have enjoyed. 
 
Bucan is coming off a season in which he played an integral role in helping guide both the Southern Arkansas men's and women's tennis programs to each squad's respective conference championship tournaments.
 
"I'm super excited and honored to take on the role of interim head coach of Mulerider Tennis," exclaims Coach Bucan. "I'm very grateful for the opportunity that Coach Browning has given me to lead the program. I had the opportunity to work under Coach Owen this past year, and I'm very thankful for everything I learned from him and for the foundation he helped build. While I'm going to miss working with Coach Owen, I'm excited to take the next step and take over the program. I'm ready to work hard, put my ideas into action, and continue moving Mulerider Tennis forward. Most importantly, I'm ready to compete, win championships, and make Southern Arkansas University and the entire Mulerider family proud."
 
In his first season as the Mulerider Tennis Assistant Coach, Bucan made an immediate impact on the development and success of student-athletes across both programs. Working closely with the teams throughout the season, he helped mentor a group of standout performers that included Jonas Sommer, Frode Neumann, Lucas Nitzchke, Jolina Mass, Taylor Conway, and Roksana Kokocha, all of whom went on to earn all-conference recognition.
 
On the men's side, the Muleriders were highlighted by the emergence of Sommer, who put together an impressive freshman campaign en route to being named the MIAA-GAC Freshman of the Year. His standout debut season also earned him recognition as the Mulerider Athletics Male Newcomer of the Year, while he additionally received honorable mention recognition in singles play. Neumann further bolstered the Muleriders' list of postseason accolades by earning First Team Singles honors, while Nitzchke was recognized with a spot on the Second Team Singles squad.
 
The women's program also enjoyed a strong season of postseason honors, led in part by the immediate contributions of freshman Jolina Mass. In her first collegiate campaign, Mass established herself as one of the league's top performers and earned All-GAC First Team recognition. Conway and Kokocha also turned in standout seasons, with both earning All-GAC Second Team honors before being recognized nationally as an ITA Division II Doubles All-American duo
 
Before arriving in Magnolia, the native of Belgrade, Serbia, had a successful stint at the University of Illinois-Chicago. In 2023, Bucan earned Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year honors and was selected to the conference's All-Conference First Team. During his final season with the Flames, he appeared in 19 matches across the top three singles positions while also competing at the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles spots. Bucan compiled a 12-7 singles record and a 12-5 doubles mark, leading UIC in doubles victories while finishing second on the team in singles wins.
 
Prior to his time at UIC, Bucan spent three seasons with the University of Arkansas Razorbacks from 2019-22. While in Fayetteville, he climbed as high as No. 27 in the singles rankings and finished his junior season ranked fourth in the region. During the 2021-22 campaign, Bucan posted a 20-11 overall singles record, including six victories over SEC opponents. He also earned SEC Newcomer of the Week recognition during the 2020-21 season after securing the clinching point in Arkansas' upset of No. 3 Tennessee.
 
During his high school days, Bucan was the U18 national champion with TC. Palmengarten in 2017. He was also named the National Champion in 2013-18 with TK Crvena Zvezda and ranked number one in Serbia at the U14, U16, and U18 levels. 
 
Over the summer of 2026, Bucan got married to his wife, Taylor.