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Days after James Goodridge guided Lees-McRae to one of its biggest non-conference victories in program history he is stepping as the team’s head coach.
Lees-McRae announced Monday that Goodridge resigned from his position to become an assistant coach with the Buffalo women’s volleyball team.
Goodridge leaves the Bobcats in the middle of the season after Lees-McRae started 7-3, including a non-conference victory against St. Francis on Saturday.
In four seasons as the Lees-McRae men’s volleyball head coach, Goodridge guided the Bobcats to three winning records and helped the team reach the inaugural four-team Conference Carolinas Tournament last season. In addition, Lees-McRae had two of the biggest non-conference victories in Conference Carolinas history as it defeated Ball State in 2011 and Cal Baptist at the 2012 Volleyball Hall of Fame Morgan Classic.
Goodridge, a AVCA 30-under-30 selection last year, also coached the Lees-McRae women’s volleyball team to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances.
“I am very thankful for the time James spent at Lees-McRae College and the development of its volleyball program,” Lees-McRae athletics director Craig McPhail said in a statement. “He is a passionate teacher of the game, who is a tireless worker and we wish him the very best in this endeavor.”
McPhail also announced Monday that a nationwide search is underway for Goodridge’s replacement.
Assistant coach Cassie Crumal will serve as the interim head coach until a replacement is named.
Crumal, who graduated from William and Mary in 2011 after a four-year all-conference college career, becomes the youngest NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball head coach in recent history. She also is the third female to become a head coach of Division I-II men’ volleyball team.