James Maclennan Carson Bell, a successful coach and athlete, is the new head coach of Pandas Tennis. For Bell, the position marks both a homecoming and a new challenge.
Bell is no stranger to the program. He spent almost two decades as an assistant coach before 2020. He helped cement the Pandas’ longstanding dominance in U Sports tennis. Now he replaces Ivan Quintero, who led the program for the past three years and was involved for more than a decade.
Bell will attempt to continue the Pandas’ run of dominance. The team has collected medals at nationals for 10 straight seasons and captured five of the last six national titles. The program is among the most successful in University of Alberta history.
Bell has experienced this success up close through his work with Edmonton tennis players, many of whom went on to play at the varsity level. For his efforts, Tennis Canada awarded him Coaching Excellence honours in 2018 and 2019.
Bell is also a decorated player. He is a Canadian masters doubles champion, represented Canada at the 2024 World Championship in Portugal, and was ranked No. 1 in Canada in 2023 and 2024. He also reached No. 20 in the International Tennis Federation singles rankings on July 22, 2024.
This transition means saying goodbye to Quintero, who spent 12 years in the program in total. Under his leadership, the Pandas continued their culture of dominance. This five-year championship streak came to an end in early August, where the Université Laval Rouge et Or edged out the Pandas to take home the national championship in a thrilling match. Regardless, Quintero’s leadership led the team to becoming and remaining one of the most successful U Sports programs in the country.
For Bell, the challenge is not rebuilding. It is continuing. A culture of excellence is already in place, built from steady years of success. His task is to lead the next generation of student athletes and help them carry on the winning tradition.
Bell’s familiarity with the players and community makes him a strong fit. He knows the program, so the transition will be smooth and unlikely to interrupt a winning culture deeply rooted in team history.
This fall, the Pandas will begin their season looking to extend their medal streak to an 11th year. If Bell’s past with the program is any indication, the dynasty is in steady, capable hands.
