Dave Preston to retire following 2022-23 season

HAMILTON – Dave Preston, head coach of the McMaster Marauders men’s volleyball program, announced today that he will be retiring following the 2022-23 season. 

A seven-time OUA Coach of the Year and three-time National Coach of the Year, Preston is in his 22nd season leading the team and is set to end his tenure as the most successful coach in program history.

“I’m thankful for the opportunities that McMaster has provided over the last 21-plus years,” said Preston. “I’ve always tried to leave things better than I found them and I hope I’ve done that here. I’m grateful for the relationships I’ve made and very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish during my time here.”

Preston’s transformation of the McMaster men’s volleyball team saw an improvement from a 6-12 record his first season to a head-turning 15-7 record in just two years. Under his guidance, McMaster would become a perennial powerhouse in the OUA and one of the most respected collegiate programs in North America – winning 10 conference titles and making 14 trips to the U SPORTS National Championship.

“The proud legacy of McMaster men’s volleyball is attributed to Dave’s guidance for the better part of two decades” said Shawn Burt, Director of Athletics & Recreation. “His fingerprints are all over this program and will remain there for years to come.”

Preston’s McMaster teams have produced 53 OUA All-Stars, 15 All-Canadians, six OUA Rookies of the Year, two U SPORTS Rookies of the Year, 27 members of the OUA All-Rookie team, five Dale Iwanoczko Award winners and one U SPORTS Fair Play Award winner. His players won the OUA Player of the Year award six times between 2013-2018. 

“I will forever cherish memories of the student-athletes and their families who trusted me with their development. I’ve also been very fortunate to work with and learn from some amazing coaches and support staff. It has been very rewarding, personally and professionally.”

Preston has been fortunate to have his biggest supporters on the sidelines for nearly all of his greatest volleyball-related accomplishments. A proud father of two daughters – Gabby & Grace – and husband to Gloria, he is a family man through and through.

“I couldn’t have done any of this without the love and support of my family. Coaching at McMaster has been an honour, and a major part of our lives. It’s been a true blessing for myself and my family. I’m so glad we were able to experience it all together.”

Preston was recently inducted into the Chatham Sports Hall of Fame, where he was born and raised prior to playing for Western University. He would go on to become head coach of his alma mater and led the Mustangs to six OUA West Division titles from 1993 to 2002.

A search for the program’s next head coach will begin immediately following the 2022-23 season. Following Preston’s retirement, Ian Eibbitt, who currently serves as lead assistant coach with the men’s volleyball team, will step in as interim head coach until the position is filled.

Preston and the Marauders will be looking to cap off a storied career with one last postseason run. Currently sitting in first place in the OUA and ranked #2 in Canada, McMaster will battle for a shot at the Forsyth Cup before hosting the nation’s best at the 2023 U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Championship from March 17-19 in Hamilton.

“There is still lots to be done,” said Preston. “We have the remainder of the season left and an opportunity to host the national championships in the Burridge Gymnasium. We’re going to finish strong in true McMaster style.”
 

Coaching Record (as of 1/20/23):