Longwood University women’s soccer assistant coach Rich Stoneman has been promoted to associate head coach, head coach Todd Dyer announced Dec. 17.

“Rich just completed his third fall season with our women’s soccer program and has now been elevated to associate head women’s soccer coach,” said Dyer, who wrapped up his 22nd season as Longwood’s head coach in 2015.

“This title change is well deserved and an indication of Rich’s hard work and dedication to this program.”

Stoneman, who was recently appointed goalkeeper coach for the North Carolina Olympic Development Program’s 1999 age group, joined Longwood’s staff prior to the 2013 season.

Along with his recruiting efforts, this past season Stoneman mentored Longwood sophomore keeper Maria Kirby, who in her first season as a starter logged a 0.95 goals against average with seven shutouts and a 7-5-1 record.

Kirby and senior goalkeeper Hailey Machen combined for nine shutouts, the third most in the Big South.

“In a short time Rich has become a true ‘Longwood Man,’ and his quantity and quality of work is a reflection of that,” Dyer said.

“He’s a true grinder when it comes to recruiting and all that entails in and out of the office. He also initiated our one-day ID clinics, which have proven to be very successful and a current staple of our on-campus recruiting efforts. The future is bright for our women’s soccer team at Longwood, and coach Stoneman is a big reason for that.”

Stoneman came to Longwood after stints as an assistant coach at several Division I programs, including Baylor, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina and Louisiana Tech, as well as a Northeastern Conference Championship season on the staff of the Fredericksburg Impact of the women’s pro-am W-League.

Since his arrival in Farmville, Longwood has compiled a 26-25-7 overall record and a 16-11-4 record in Big South play. The Lancers have twice advanced to the Big South postseason during those three years while finishing .500 or better every year and earning top-five league finishes in 2013 and 2015.

Heading into the upcoming spring offseason training, Dyer and Stoneman will oversee a Longwood program that returns six starters, including Kirby and three-time All-Big South forward Amanda Spencer.