Austin, TX — In a major move to accelerate talent growth across the Lone Star State, the Texas Ranchers announced that professional pickleball standout Michael Loyd has been named Head of Development for the Texas Ranchers Academy, the team’s player development and pipeline program.
This strategic addition underscores the Ranchers’ commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and expanding competitive opportunities for aspiring players throughout Texas.
Loyd’s role places him at the helm of the Academy’s vision, curriculum, and overall development strategy. In a social post shared Friday by the Ranchers’ official account, the organization emphasized Loyd’s leadership role in shaping the pathway from grassroots to elite-level play.
Loyd said he is “stoked to be leading the Texas Ranchers Academy Program” and is “all-in on pickleball and helping make Texas the center of talent development in this growing game.”
The Academy has shown rapid growth since its first tryout in April of last year, when its first DUPR 22 team was fielded. By December, the program had sent 17 teams to MiLP Nationals, and this weekend’s Austin tryout drew over 100 players. Expansion plans include upcoming tryouts in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio as the Ranchers continue to build a statewide presence.
Although currently a member of Major League Pickleball’s Challenger League team, the California Black Bears, Loyd’s Texas roots and early connection to the Ranchers run deep. He was selected 26th overall by Texas in the 2025 Premier draft and went 2–0 before a mid-season trade. Loyd is a Texas native and currently lives in Austin.
A former Division I tennis player who transitioned to pickleball, Loyd turned pro in 2023 and has quickly emerged as one of the sport’s rising competitors. He is a PPA Tour signed pro and competes at the highest level across singles, doubles, and mixed divisions.
Off the court, Loyd has also distinguished himself as an educator and coach. He serves as a head coach and content creator for Pickleball Hub, where he provides instructional guidance and structured learning resources for players of all levels. For those looking to build a strong technical foundation, his course Michael Loyd – Pickleball 101 breaks down fundamental skills and strategies in an accessible format.
The announcement comes amid heightened national attention on the Texas Ranchers franchise. As one of the founding teams in Major League Pickleball, the Ranchers boast a roster of celebrity owners, ranging from PGA Tour stars to NFL players and entrepreneurs, all unified by a passion for growing the sport in Texas and beyond.
With Loyd leading the Academy’s development efforts, the Ranchers are positioned to build a lasting pipeline of skilled players while fostering community engagement and competitive excellence.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
Unordered list
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript
