Eric Burns enters his seventh year as Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach and his seventh year overall at IPFW. Burns has led the Mastodons through the transition from NCAA Division II to Division I. Both programs have seen great improvement both on the court and off.

The men's and women's teams have excelled in the classroom and have won numerous awards. The women's team has been named ITA All-Academic team (team GPA of 3.2 or better) on five consecutive occasions (2003-07). The men's team was honored in 2004. There have also been 23 women and 12 men honored as ITA Scholar-Athletes (GPA of 3.5 or better for the year). In 2006, Beth Miller was named to the ESPN the Magazine/Cosida All-District 5 At-Large Women's Academic Team. There have also been eight women named to the Academic All-Independent teams.

On the court the Dons have shown great improvement since turning Division I in 2002. The men's program had its highest win total in 2005 when they reached 11 wins. The men also competed in the Mid-American Conference as affiliate members from 2002-2007 hosting the MAC Championships in Fort Wayne in 2007. Hermann Kuschke (2006) and Renan Constantino (2007) were recognized as MAC Players of the Week.

The women's team has seen the most improvement. In 2003 the team finished 6-19 in Burns' first year, but in 2006 the women's team had their first winning season with a 17-13 record and followed that up with another winning season (13-11) in 2007. Burns was honored as the Independent Coach of the Year in 2006. Fourteen players were also recognized as All-Independent from 2003-2007.

Burns' coaching career started at Franklin College in 2000 where he served as assistant coach for men's tennis. The Grizzlies finished second in the HCAC in 2000. Burns also gained experience as boys' assistant coach at Shelbyville High School leading them to their first semi state appearance in fall of 2000. In spring of 2001 he served as men's assistant coach at Anderson University helping the Ravens achieve the HCAC Championship and several individual conference championships.

Burns had a successful playing career at Franklin College and was a four-year letter winner. He helped lead the Grizzlies to their first ever Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference title while capturing two individual conference championships and All-HCAC honors in 1999.

Burns earned his Bachelor's degree in physical education from Franklin College in 1999 and his Master's degree in sports administration from Ball State in 2003. He and his wife Kristy reside in Fort Wayne.