Former Rice all-America Efe Ustundag returned to his alma mater on Sept. 3, 2004 when was named assistant men's tennis coach. In his first year as Ron Smarr's assistant, the Owls recorded a 15-10 mark and finished with an ITA national ranking of 38.

Prior to his return to Rice, Ustundag spent the two seasons as an assistant coach at Texas Tech. The Red Raiders advanced to the semifinals of the Big 12 championship last season. Prior to his stint in Lubbock, Ustundag spent two years as a professional player and assistant coach for Enka Tennis Club in his native Istanbul, Turkey. While with the Enka Tennis Club he assisted Ali Gorec, the former Turkish Davis Cup coach, in various administrative and coaching duties. In 2000, he won the national championship in both singles and doubles, while in 2001 he captured the national indoor championship in both singles and doubles. Also in 2001 he won the ITF Turkey Satellite in doubles. Ustundag has been a member of the Turkish Davis Cup team since 1997.

A doubles all-America as a member of the Rice men's tennis team, Ustundag was the number-one player his final three years and maintained a national NCAA ranking during that time as high as 16th. In 1996 he was named the MVP at the Team Championships in San Diego, Calif., while receiving Tennis Magazine's Arthur Ashe Jr. Award for sportsmanship and leadership in 1998. He also received the Western Athletic Conference scholar of the year award that same year.

Ustundag was a singles first-team all-WAC selection and a doubles second-team honoree, while being named the NCAA region VI senior player of the year.

Before attending Rice, Ustundag attended Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Fla., in 1990-93. In 1992, he was awarded the NBTA Grand Slam award for academics, citizenship and athletics.

He graduated from Rice in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in managerial studies and sports management.