Eric Burns named head coach of 'Ville tennis programs
9/2/2026 7:30:00 AM | Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - Millersville University Director of Athletics Kate Corcoran has announced Eric Burns as the new head coach of the men's and women's tennis programs. Burns succeeds Matt Helsel, who retired after 10 years leading both teams.
With roots in Lancaster County, a degree from a PSAC institution and coaching experience at the Division II level, Burns is a perfect fit for a Millersville program with plenty of recent success. Burns most recently coached the Goldey-Beacom women during the 2025-26 season, but he also won a 2019 PIAA Championship as the boys' coach at Pequea Valley High School.
"We are excited to have Eric Burns join the athletic department and take over our men's and women's tennis programs," said Corcoran. "He showed a passion for student-athlete development on and off the tennis court as well as ties to the Lancaster area which will assist in recruiting. We look forward to seeing our program continue to grow under his direction."
"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the Millersville University tennis programs," said Burns. "I want to thank Director of Athletics Kate Corcoran, Senior Associate Director of Athletics Larry Earnesty, and the entire search committee for their confidence in me and for making me feel so welcome throughout the process."
Burns, a 1993 graduate of Bloomsburg University, entered coaching in 2011 as the head coach of both the boys' and girls' programs at Pequea Valley while also founding and serving as the head professional of the Pequea Valley Junior Tennis Club, which grew to 100 participants over the next decade while producing more than 20 college players. With the high school program, Burns totaled 212 wins and won the Lancaster-Lebanon League Coach of the Year Award three times.
He built upon his success at the high school level by becoming the associate head coach at Goldey-Beacom in 2024. In six months, Burns moved into the role of head coach and produced immediate results. The following three semesters, he led the Lightning to a No. 47 national ranking, four of his players earned All-CACC honors, and he mentored the CACC Rookie of the Year. In 2025, the Lightning received the CACC Sportsmanship Award.
"I'm excited to get to know our student-athletes, get on the courts with them, and build something special together," said Burns. "I can't wait to get started, and I'm extremely proud to be a Marauder."
Burns takes over a program that is accustomed to success on and off the court. While the men's team missed the postseason in 2025-26, it reached the PSAC Semifinals six times between 2019 and 2024 with a conference runner-up finish and NCAA Tournament berth in 2024. The women's program has eight consecutive postseason appearances with two PSAC East titles in that stretch.
"Millersville has such a rich tennis tradition, and I have a great deal of respect for the coaches and players who have built these programs,' said Burns. "To now have the opportunity to be a part of that means a great deal to me. I'm excited to build on that foundation and help write the next chapter of Millersville tennis."
With roots in Lancaster County, a degree from a PSAC institution and coaching experience at the Division II level, Burns is a perfect fit for a Millersville program with plenty of recent success. Burns most recently coached the Goldey-Beacom women during the 2025-26 season, but he also won a 2019 PIAA Championship as the boys' coach at Pequea Valley High School.
"We are excited to have Eric Burns join the athletic department and take over our men's and women's tennis programs," said Corcoran. "He showed a passion for student-athlete development on and off the tennis court as well as ties to the Lancaster area which will assist in recruiting. We look forward to seeing our program continue to grow under his direction."
"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the Millersville University tennis programs," said Burns. "I want to thank Director of Athletics Kate Corcoran, Senior Associate Director of Athletics Larry Earnesty, and the entire search committee for their confidence in me and for making me feel so welcome throughout the process."
Burns, a 1993 graduate of Bloomsburg University, entered coaching in 2011 as the head coach of both the boys' and girls' programs at Pequea Valley while also founding and serving as the head professional of the Pequea Valley Junior Tennis Club, which grew to 100 participants over the next decade while producing more than 20 college players. With the high school program, Burns totaled 212 wins and won the Lancaster-Lebanon League Coach of the Year Award three times.
He built upon his success at the high school level by becoming the associate head coach at Goldey-Beacom in 2024. In six months, Burns moved into the role of head coach and produced immediate results. The following three semesters, he led the Lightning to a No. 47 national ranking, four of his players earned All-CACC honors, and he mentored the CACC Rookie of the Year. In 2025, the Lightning received the CACC Sportsmanship Award.
"I'm excited to get to know our student-athletes, get on the courts with them, and build something special together," said Burns. "I can't wait to get started, and I'm extremely proud to be a Marauder."
Burns takes over a program that is accustomed to success on and off the court. While the men's team missed the postseason in 2025-26, it reached the PSAC Semifinals six times between 2019 and 2024 with a conference runner-up finish and NCAA Tournament berth in 2024. The women's program has eight consecutive postseason appearances with two PSAC East titles in that stretch.
"Millersville has such a rich tennis tradition, and I have a great deal of respect for the coaches and players who have built these programs,' said Burns. "To now have the opportunity to be a part of that means a great deal to me. I'm excited to build on that foundation and help write the next chapter of Millersville tennis."
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