Eric Praetorius

Coach Eric Praetorius enters his first year as the Head Men's Volleyball Coach at Webber International University during the 2019 season. He was announced as the Warriors' new head coach in December 2018.

Coach Praetorius is no stranger to the Tampa area. Having been the owner and CEO of the Tampa Elite Sports Center and the Head Volleyball Coach with Tampa Elite Volleyball Club since 2011, Praetorius coached all age groups from U12 to U18 in indoor and beach volleyball. He also coached 10 AAU National Championship All-Tournament Team players and one AAU National Championship MVP during his tenure.

Coach Praetorius was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2013 and was the USA Volleyball Florida Region Outstanding Junior Coach in both 2012 and in 2014. In 2015, he earned the Tampa Tribune “Best of the Best” Coaching Award and the USA Volleyball Florida Region Director of the Year award. He coached his club teams to an AAU National Championship in 2014 and AAU National Championship runner-up finishes in 2015 and 2016. In 2017, he was an assistant coach for his club team that won the USA Volleyball Junior Olympic Championship in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Praetorius is also a very established High School Head Coach in Tampa. In 2017, Coach Praetorius was named Florida High School Athletic Association 3A Coach of the Year while leading Carrollwood Day School to a Florida High School Athletic Association State Championship.

Coach Praetorius finished his five-year tenure at Carrollwood Day with an overall record of 112-16, helping guide his team to four district championships, three regional championships and a Class 4A State Title in 2017, FHASS State Runner up in 2014 and FHSAA Final Four in 2015. Coach Praetorius was previously awarded the Florida High School Athletic Association 4A Coach of the Year and the Hillsborough County Coach of the Year. In 2015, Coach Praetorius was award the Tampa Tribune “Best of the Best” Award and earned the Hillsborough County Volleyball Coach of the Year award.

Praetorius was also a varsity volleyball coach at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School (2017-Present). At Bishop McLaughlin, Coach Praetorius was the Co-Head Girls Varsity Volleyball Coach for Florida’s 3A Division State Finalists in 2018, helping lead his squad to a Class 3A District 4 Championship, Class 3A Regional Championship and a Class 3A State Runner-Up finish.