Erin Kolar was named head coach of the women's tennis team at Trine before the 2015-16 season and assumed the lead of both tennis programs when she was named the head coach of the men's tennis team during the summer of 2016. 

During the 2017-18 season, Kolar led the men's team to their first appearance in the MIAA Tournament since 2011. The first time in her coaching career and the first time the team has made the narrowed field of four. The women were just as successful finishing the season 11-10 and also earned a bid to the MIAA Tournament as well, marking the first time since 2007 that they have participated.

Kolar has coached three Thunder athletes to All-MIAA team honors. Victor Flynn became the first player in her tenure to earn a place picking up a Second-Team selection after his senior season in 2018. Two women would pick up honors in 2019 with freshmen Ashley Spirrison being named First-Team and classmate Tatum Matthews picking up Second-Team honors.

The Thunder finished the 2020-21 season 12-7 overall. Those 12 wins represent the winningest season in the program's history in the NCAA Division III. For three consecutive seasons now, Kolar has led both program to double-digit wins and have made the MIAA postseason tournament in all three years on the men's side.

“My vision for the student-athletes is to ‘make a difference’ — on the court, in the classroom and wherever they are present, and to carry that mentality with them after college into their job, their family and their life,” said Kolar. “I’m looking forward to continuing my role as women’s coach, but I am also looking forward to my role as men’s coach. I think the approach to practices and match play will differ slightly, but one thing will remain constant; I want them to ‘make a difference.’ ”

Kolar initially joined the Trine tennis programs as an assistant coach in the spring of 2015. She was named head women's tennis coach in June 2015. Kolar brings a high level of enthusiasm for the game of tennis and a strong instruction and playing pedigree to the Thunder tennis programs.

Kolar was a four-time All-GLIAC performer between 1996-99 while attending Northwood University in Midland, Mich. She was ranked as high as 31st in NCAA Division II in doubles and as high as 62nd in the nation in singles. Kolar played no. 1 singles and was part of the no. 1 doubles pairing all four years of her collegiate career.

Upon graduating, Kolar continued to compete in local USTA tournaments and competed for European clubs in the Czech Republic and Germany. She has been a certified USPTA instructor since 2000.

A native of Union City, Mich. Kolar graduated from Northwood University in 2000 with a B.A. in Marketing and Management. She is married to Marek Kolar, a professor in the Ketner School of Business at Trine. The Kolars have two children- Mikaela (7), and Evan (5).