For the second consecutive offseason Southern Virginia changed the head coaches of both basketball programs, but this time it only needed to make one new hire.
Adam Wardenburg will shift from women's head coach to men's and alumna Lynette Schroeder will take over the women's program.
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Athletic Director Jason Lamb announced both moves on Friday.
"After deciding to make a leadership change in men's basketball, Coach Wardenburg approached me about this opportunity," explained Lamb in the release. "Coach Wardenburg's accomplishments with the women's program last season combined with his commitment to our University quickly made him the leading candidate in our search for a new head men's coach.
Less than 12 months ago Wardenburg came to Southern Virginia from Division I Utah Valley where he was an assistant women's coach for four seasons. He led the Knights to their best season in their short tenure as an NCAA Division III program. Southern Virginia went 21-6, finished one game out of first place in the CAC and lost to Christopher Newport in the conference tournament title game. Wardenburg was named D3hoops Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year.
"Last season's successes opened up many opportunities for Coach Wardenburg," said Lamb in the press release. "We're fortunate that he loves Southern Virginia University, first and foremost, and that he expressed a strong desire to remain a Knight and share his efforts, talents, and leadership with the men's basketball program."
Wardenburg replaces Greg Winslow who went 4-22, 0-14 in the CAC in his lone season as the men's head coach. Winslow replaced Tom Caputo who led the Knights during their transition from the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) to the NCAA in 2013.
"This was an extremely tough and emotional decision for me and my family," explained Wardenburg in the release. "I absolutely loved coaching the women's team last season and sharing in the successes of that special group of players—I love every one of them. Ultimately, after a lot of prayer and discussions with my family and mentors, I felt this was the right next step for my career and development as a coach."
Wardenburg is replaced on the women's side by one of Southern Virginia's top players, Lynette Schroeder. She was a 1700-point scorer for the Knights and led them to the USCAA national championship in 2006. She then spent eight seasons as the head coach at Skyline High School in Millcreek, Utah where she went 111-43. Last season she was an assistant at Division II Westminster (Utah) and the Griffins reached the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time in program history.
"I am really excited to be back," said Schroeder in the release. "It is amazing to see the growth that has occurred at Southern Virginia University over the last 11 years since I graduated. This is an exciting time to be a part of the women's basketball program and the University."
Schroeder's program should contend again next season in the CAC. The Knights are anchored by center Katie Garrish who was the lone sophomore named All-American last season.