Nikola Petrovic enters his second season on James Finley's staffin 2012 and boasts a successful two-decade coaching career in theUnited States and Europe. In addition to his duties as the Rams'top assistant, Petrovic also serves as VCU's recruitingcoordinator.
Petrovic joined the Rams in time for the 2011 season and wasinstramental in VCU's 17-win campaign, capped by an appearance inthe Colonial Athletic Association Championship Match. Under histutelage, three Rams earned All-CAA honors in 2011, includingbreakout freshman Cecilia Aragao, who was named to the league'sAll-Rookie Team, as well as to the CAA All-Tournament Team.
Prior to joining VCU, Petrovic spent the 2010 season as anassistant coach at Temple University following a four-year stint ashead coach at Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kan.Petrovic led Garden City to 55 victories, as well as consecutivewinning seasons in 2006 and 2007. His teams also excelled in theclassroom, where they earned a pair of NJCAA National Team AcademicAwards.
During the 2005-06 school year, Petrovic served as an assistantcoach – and was later elevated to interim head coach - atUAB. Petrovic recruited four All-Conference USA players toBirmingham, including three student-athletes that went on to winAll-AVCA honors. Petrovic helped lead the Blazers to a 14-13 markthat season, the school's best record in 10 years.
Prior to his UAB tenure, Petrovic served as an assistant coachat Barton Country Community College in 2004, where he helped guidethe school to an 18-9 mark.
From 2001-03, Petrovic assisted at Division II NorthwoodUniversity. Two Northwood players captured All-America honorsduring Petrovic's stay and 11 were selected All-Conference. TheTimberwolves were 72-27 and earned two NCAA bids duringPetrovic’s tenure. NU placed 14th in the finalAVCA Coaches Poll in 2002 and was also ranked as high as eighthduring the 2001 season.
Petrovic began his coaching career with Red Star Volleyball, aprofessional club based out of Belgrade, Serbia, where he coachedand served as camp director from 1993-2000.
Over the course of his career, Petrovic has served as a coachand director for numerous junior volleyball clubs and has workedcamps at Ball State, LSU, Colorado, Kansas State and Texas.
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A native of Belgrade, Serbia, Petrovic played setter forSerbian professional club Zeleznicar for five years. He graduatedfrom the University of Belgrade in 1997 with a degree in physicaleducation.
