Busani Xaba took over the head coaching reins of the Amherst College men's and women's squash programs in 2020-2021. He enters his third season at the helm for the 2023-2024 season.
Xaba guided the men's squash team to triumph in the 2023 CSA Championship, securing a 6-3 victory against St. Lawrence University in the finals.
An England Squash Level 2 coach with 18 years of experience on three continents, Xaba was, most recently, the Director of Squash and Athletics at the University Club of San Francisco and, previously, an assistant coach at Dartmouth College.
As the Director of Athletics at the University Club of San Francisco since 2012, Xaba has grown the game in the San Francisco area, more than doubling the club's membership over the past five years while developing strong competitive junior and adult squash programs through the organization of tournaments, leagues and clinics. He also supported junior players with the college recruitment process.
Outside of the courts, Xaba advises and serves as a member of the development committee for SquashDrive, a nonprofit urban squash program focusing on the academics, wellness and character development of underserved youth in Oakland,Calif.
Prior to his time in San Francisco, Xaba spent six years coaching at the collegiate level, as an assistant for two top-10, nationally ranked programs at Dartmouth College and as the head coach of the men's club squash team at the University of California, Berkeley.
A former national champion in his native Zimbabwe, Xaba rose through the junior ranks during his playing career and helped the national team finish 15th overall at the under-19 Junior Men's World Championships in 2000. He completed a two-year course in sports and recreation at Kingston Maurward College in Dorchester, England.
Busani Xaba's Coaching Career
2020: Amherst College (Head Coach)
2012-2020: University Club of San Francisco (Director of Squash and Athletics)
2012-2014: University of California, Berkeley (Head Coach, Club Men's Squash)
2009-2012: Dartmouth College (Assistant Coach)
2007-2009: San Diego Squash (Head Coach)
What They Said
"My family and I are deeply honored to be joining the Amherst community. Throughout my 13 years in the U.S., I've gotten to know many Amherst alumni and have seen the positive impact the school has made on each of their lives. One of my top priorities as a coach is to create an environment that allows our student-athletes to excel, both on and off the court. I'd like to thank the Athletic Director, Don Faulstick, and the Provost and Dean of the Faculty, Catherine Epstein, for trusting me to take on this role leading the men's and women's squash programs."
-Busani Xaba
"I'd like to welcome Busani to the College and to our department. His experience at all levels, especially at Dartmouth, will be a valuable asset to our students off and on the court. He is extremely respected in the squash community, and I couldn't be happier that he will lead our programs. I know his passion, work ethic and care for our students will be the cornerstones of their success and take our program to new heights."
-Amherst College Director of Athletics Don Faulstick
"I'm thrilled to see Busani join Amherst College Athletics. His passion for the sport, professionalism and contagious energy are immediately evident to everyone who meets him. He has a proven track record of developing players, both in a collegiate setting at Dartmouth College, but also as a private coach. What differentiates him is that he does not rest on the wealth of knowledge he has, but is always willing to listen and always looking to learn and grow, all the while with a big, genuine smile on his face."
-Hansi Wiens, head coach of men's and women's squash at Dartmouth College
