Jose Maria “Chema” Martin de Oliva Carranza joined Northwestern University as an assistant men’s tennis coach on September 12, 2025.
Originally from Sevilla, Spain, Chema began playing tennis at just two and a half years old and has carried that passion throughout his life. He competed at the collegiate level for the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he earned a degree in Mathematics and Physics while achieving a national ranking as high as No. 2 in the country.
Before arriving at Northwestern, Chema coached at DePaul University, where he helped guide the men’s tennis program to historic success. As assistant coach, he led the team to their first-ever Big East Championship, and as volunteer assistant coach, he contributed to two more titles in just three years—marking three championships in four years.
Outside of tennis, Chema built a successful career in the corporate world as a top sales representative at Loadsmart. While excelling in that role, he ultimately decided to return to his lifelong passion for tennis and coaching, bringing both competitive experience and leadership skills back to the court.
Off the court, Chema enjoys golf, staying active in competition, cooking, traveling, and spending time with his wife, friends, and their rescue dog, Luna.
Originally from Sevilla, Spain, Chema began playing tennis at just two and a half years old and has carried that passion throughout his life. He competed at the collegiate level for the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he earned a degree in Mathematics and Physics while achieving a national ranking as high as No. 2 in the country.
Before arriving at Northwestern, Chema coached at DePaul University, where he helped guide the men’s tennis program to historic success. As assistant coach, he led the team to their first-ever Big East Championship, and as volunteer assistant coach, he contributed to two more titles in just three years—marking three championships in four years.
Outside of tennis, Chema built a successful career in the corporate world as a top sales representative at Loadsmart. While excelling in that role, he ultimately decided to return to his lifelong passion for tennis and coaching, bringing both competitive experience and leadership skills back to the court.
Off the court, Chema enjoys golf, staying active in competition, cooking, traveling, and spending time with his wife, friends, and their rescue dog, Luna.