A coil retention system for a rotor of an electrical generator, such as an aircraft generator, that includes one or more components made of a high strength, lightweight composite material. By making one or more of the coil retention system components of a high strength, lightweight composite material, the generator can rotate at relatively high speeds, and can be built with a relatively small space between the generator rotor and stator. This allows the generator to supply greater output power without increasing the generator's size and/or weight.