Bio

Mark Hodgin-Carnes is entering his third full season and 4th season overall as the Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach at Columbia College (SC) after being hired in the winter of 2021-22.

Carnes helped lead the Koala Men to 8 wins and a spot in the AAC tournament in 2024 for the first time in school history. Their 8-10 overall record was also the best in CC history as the Koalas racked up numerous wins over NCAA Div. II and III schools in 2023-24. Carnes also coached his first all-conference player in Waldo Bosch as he was named men's 2nd Team All-AAC and All-Freshman Team.

His women's team was named as one of the 33 ITA All-Academic Teams in 2024 while five women's student-athletes and three men were named ITA Scholars as well.

When Carnes was first hired, he undertook a major courts refurbishing project. They had no courts essentially when Carnes arrived on campus as they were non-playable and in really rough shape. He was responsible for starting the courts project, which started in August of 2022, working with local company Tennico and other contractors to ensure that the program had six resurfaced courts painted with our school colors and ready for play in spring of 2023.

Carnes joins the Koala staff after providing individual and group tennis lessons throughout Sumter, SC and Columbia for six years (2015-2021). During his time in Sumter and Columbia, Carnes not only focused on making the athletes stronger and more agile competitors on the court, but also served as a mentor in all aspects of their lives, helping them be successful off the court.

A  Sumter native, Carnes played collegiate tennis at NCAA Div. II Limestone College in Gaffney, SC before transferring to the University of South Carolina, where he received his degree in Political Science in December 2020.

Carnes, who was introduced to the game of tennis by his father and grandfather at the age of four, has competed in local, state, regional, and national tennis tournaments for over 15 years. He has represented South Carolina in the Southern Tennis Tournaments for the 12 through 18 age groups. During that time, Carnes won three doubles titles and placed in the top 10 for nine years at the Belton Qualifying Tournament.

In addition, Carnes was chosen for and competed in the National Zonal Tennis Teams for the 12 through 16 age groups. He was a member of the 18U Advanced National Tennis Team for three consecutive years. In 2014, he won the individual state and regional tournament and was a member of the team that captured fourth at the 2014 USTA Junior Team Tennis 18-and-Under Advanced National Championships.

Carnes’ grandfather Charles Hodgin was a legendary player and tennis coach in Sumter, SC and both he and his uncle, Chuck Hodgin, are both members of the SC Tennis Hall of Fame.

Mark resides in Columbia with his wife Taylor.