RICHMOND, Va. — VCU had women’s lacrosse coach Jen O’Brien will not return to the program after eight years, Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed McLaughlin announced.

“We thank Jen for her work in starting our program and working with our student-athletes,” McLaughlin said. “We wish her and her staff well in the next steps of their careers. We invest the resources to have our lacrosse program perform to similar championship standards as our other programs. We have expectations of excellence, while preparing our student-athletes for life after VCU.”

O’Brien posted a career record of 34-59 while serving as the inaugural coach for the program. She was named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year in 2018. The program advanced to the Atlantic 10 conference tournament twice during her tenure.

“I want to thank the incredible student-athletes, my assistant coaches, and the administration with whom I have been fortunate to work over the past eight years,” O’Brien said. “It was both a professional dream and challenge to start a new program, and I am proud of my time at VCU. Thank you to the families who entrusted me with their daughters. It’s the people who make the experience, and I will forever cherish these relationships.”

VCU Athletics will begin a national search for a new head coach immediately.